There is no doubt that teen pregnancy is a major issue and efforts such as those made by the Candie’s Foundation to discourage teen pregnancy are noble ventures.

However, is Bristol Palin, daughter of former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, really the best spokesperson to choose?

In a February 2009 interview, Palin, who became pregnant at the age of 17, said, “I’d love…to be an advocate to prevent teen pregnancy because it’s not, like, a situation that you want to strive for, I guess.”

I understand that she was probably a little intimidated to be doing an interview, but adding the “I guess” onto the end of that statement makes her sound indecisive.  Honestly, what is there to guess about whether you should strive to have a child as a teen? 

In her new Public Service Announcement for the Candie’s Foundation, Palin stresses the fact that most young teens do not come from wealthy families as she does. While the intent was good, the message that comes across is that other girls should not get pregnant because their families are neither as famous nor as wealthy as the Palin family. 

Ultimately, while Palin probably had nothing to do with the writing of the PSA, it is incredibly misguiding and sends out the wrong message.

Furthermore, I cannot help but ask myself what Palin’s motives truly are for becoming a spokesperson.  Is this a political scheme in order to make her mother look better for the next round of elections?  Does she really care about preventing teen pregnancy or is she in it for the fame and money? 

I must admit, I am inclined to believe that she doesn’t really care about preventing teen pregnancy.

Caitie Beth Shauck can be reached for comment at [email protected]