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Story

Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page) is a fairly typical 16-year-old teenager with attitude and a quick tongue. She decides to experiment with sex with her friend Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera). This results in an unwanted pregnancy. Juno decides to confront her father Mac (JK Simmons) and stepmother Bren (Allison Janney). Although initially surprised, they are very supportive of Juno. At first Juno thinks she’ll have an abortion, because she knows she is too young to be looking after a baby. However, after attending the clinic, she changes her mind.

Juno then sets out to find the perfect couple to adopt her baby. She thinks she has found them in Vanessa (Jennifer Garner), desperate for a baby, and Mark Loring (Jason Bateman). Juno is to learn that nothing is simple or straightforward in life. She also discovers that bringing a new life into the world is far more complicated than she thought.

Themes

Teenage pregnancy; abortion; contraception

Violence

There is some violence in this movie, including a scene in which Juno and Mark watch a horror/slasher movie in which a body is drilled with blood splattering everywhere.

Sexual references

There is much discussion about sex and pregnancy in this movie. There are also many sexual references. For example:

  • Juno sits on a toilet to take a pregnancy test – her friend asks her if her nipples are brown.
  • When asked what sex was like, Juno replies it was magnificent.
  • There are a few references to abortion.
  • A demonstration of how to put a condom on a banana is given in the classroom.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

There is some use of substances in this movie. For example:

  • Juno holds a pipe as if smoking it.
  • There is talk about drug and alcohol use.
  • Juno drinks a gin sling.
  • People drink wine at home.

Nudity and sexual activity

There is some nudity and sexual activity in this movie. For example, there is a scene in which Juno takes off her pants and is shown having sex with Paulie, sitting in a chair in the nude, although it’s fairly discreet.

Product placement

The product Sunni D orange juice is displayed in this movie.

Coarse language

This movie contains some mild coarse language.

Ideas to discuss with your children

Juno is a comedy about a serious subject. It is directed at adolescents, who might find it both funny and confronting. This is because the movie emphasises the fact that many human emotions are involved in bringing a new life into the world.

The main message from this movie is that casual sex can result in an unwanted pregnancy, which can affect many people’s lives.

You could talk with your child about signifcant scenes such as Juno’s courage in telling her parents about her pregnancy and her decision to continue with her studies while pregnant. You could discuss issues concerning casual sex, contraception, pregnancy and abortion.

Supported By

  • Department of Social Services

Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

Member Organisations

  • Parenting Research Centre
  • The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne
  • Murdoch Children's Research Institute

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