Private Practice

During the Private Practice episode this week, gender roles were quite apparent. The doctors were treating a young fourteen year old girl, who had been diagnosed with cancer. It became apparent that the girl would not live longer than two years. Even in such a fragile and vulnerable state, she is thinking about becoming a mother. She says this is the,"Only thing she has ever wanted in life." This quote alone highlights the fact that a woman's ambitions lie solely in her desire to be a mother. Instead of living her life as a normal fourteen year old, spending time with her friends and family and trying new things, she persues a chance at motherhood. Her boyfriend is persuaded to donate sperm and eventually admits that he does not desire to be a father during this time in his life. This further demonstrates a woman's desire to embrace motherhood, even at such a young age and a male's desire to seek freedom, independence and less committment in his life. This whole situation is very strange to begin with, as the young girl's parents encourage her to seek a random sperm donor, as her boyfriend refuses to donate his sperm. This further illustrates a female going to great lengths to embrace motherhood. In reality, the young girl should be acting as a teeneger and enjoying her last moments on earth.