Discrimination

& social justice

issues in the
film Juno
Juno was released in December of 2007 and is
directed by Jason Reitman. The film stars actors and
actresses such as Elliot Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer
Garner and Jason Bateman.

Juno is an American coming of age comedy film

which stars Elliot Page as the title character, an
independently minded teenager who is confronted
with an unplanned pregnancy and must deal with the
subsequent events and pressures of a more adult life.
The film Juno covers controversial topics such
as abortion and teen pregnancy as well as
discrimination and support is both seen in this
film as it follows Juno's journey.
We also see other issues Juno must deal with
throughout the film such as relationship issues
with her boyfriend Paulie Bleaker who is
played by Michael Cera.

The film was praised and criticized by

members of both the anti-abortion and
abortion rights communities for its treatment
of abortion. The screenplay writer Diablo
Cody has stated herself that she is pro-choice.
Screen play writer
Diablo Cody
In the film there is a scene where Juno has decided that they
wants to have an abortion and they head to a local abortion
clinic. Outside the clinic we see Juno's classmate Su-Chin
who is a sole protester outside the clinic. The film goes
against our expectations when we expect a confrontation
between Juno and the classmate, but this does not happen as
they just make small talk about school. Abortion is not even
mentioned until Juno heads into the clinic and Su-Chin
makes a remark that Junos baby already has fingernails.
This sticks with Juno and they ends up deciding against
having an abortion. The Juno nor the film is pro-life or pro-
choice, Juno just comes to the decision that abortion was not
the right choice for them, but neither is motherhood. It is at
this point where Juno decides that they want to give their
baby up for a closed adoption.
The film also shows other issues Juno deals with such as Juno telling their parents that they
are pregnant, being judged by classmates and relationship issues their boyfriend. These
issues all combined create great pressure for Juno on top of them trying to make the right
choice with their pregnancy.

The film is set in America, where abortion is legal but protests outside clinics are a common
occurrence.
It is common to hear of stories of women being discriminated outside these clinics by
protesters because of their choice to have an abortion.
Abortion was made legal in Northern Ireland with the Northern Ireland (Executive
Formation ect) Act 2019
While more should be done to protect those who which to avail of abortion services there
has been no laws introduced yet or restrictions to stop people protesting outside clinics. Last
year a labor MP suggested an outright ban to protesters outside of abortion clinics.
Trailer for the film Juno
Links and reference material:
https://www.themarysue.com/diablo-cody-junos-abo
rtion/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53150759

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSXx3alPd44