Yesterday we heard some quotes from Justin Bieber’s new Rolling Stone interview, some of which sounded incredibly naive and potentially offensive. He said he didn’t know about politics but that “whatever they have in Korea, that’s bad,” and that he was against abortion because “that’s like killing a baby?” adding that “everything happens for a reason” when asked about abortion in the case of rape. I was willing to give him a break because he’s 16 years old. He’s a singer, not a theologian or politician, and teenage kids say stupid things. Plus he said some nice things about universal healthcare in Canada where he’s from, although a lot of you noted that I was probably giving him way too much credit for understanding what that means exactly.
Anyway the author of that piece, the woman who interviewed The Bieb, is explaining his “everything happens for a reason” rape comment in the context of the Christian belief that God has a plan for us all. She thought that Justin was struggling with coming to terms with what that meant to him and if he really believed it, and that’s why it came out so awkwardly. I think she’s giving him too much credit too:
“I really don’t believe in abortion,” the teen idol said. “It’s like killing a baby?” When asked if he was still adamantly pro-life in cases of rape, his stance didn’t really change. “Um. Well, I think that’s really sad, but everything happens for a reason,” he said. “I don’t know how that would be a reason. I guess I haven’t been in that position, so I wouldn’t be able to judge that.”
This seemingly innocent opinion led to many headlines and jeers at Bieber’s expense, ridiculing him for implying something as traumatic as rape “happens for a reason.” But Grigoriadis, the interviewer, has a different opinion of what Bieber was trying to convey. “I think he meant that God has a plan,” she told PopEater. “Even for the most die-hard Christian, it’s hard to justify rape as part of God’s plan, and harder to justify rape that leads to pregnancy and abortion. I think he was wrestling with that in his answer, which I found to be solid and logical. I think it is being widely misunderstood. He did not say that rape was part of God’s plan.”
Another point of contention from the interview is the Canadian crooner’s admission that he never plans to become an American citizen. “You guys are evil,” he joked. “Canada’s the best country in the world.” The young man even took a dig at the U.S. healthcare system. “We go to the doctor and we don’t need to worry about paying him, but here, your whole life, you’re broke because of medical bills.”
Let’s give the kid a little credit here. Sure, he’s traveled the world and is in a higher tax bracket than most of us can even fathom, but how many 16-year-olds are even remotely aware of how insanely expensive healthcare can be? The fact that he’s cultured and tuned in to the everyday struggles of those surrounding him (he mentions his bodyguard’s premature baby and the costly complications stemming from that) is a refreshing glimpse of a Hollywood star that hasn’t completely lost touch with reality and everyday people.
In terms of whether or not Bieber is mature for his age, Grigoriadis agreed with the star’s manager that it really just depends on the day. She explained, “Scooter Braun was right when he said to me that Justin sometimes seems like a 16-year-old going on 14 and other times like a 16-year-old going on 32.”
Justin and his opinions on premarital sex are understandable — the kid is, after all, a sex symbol to millions of tween girls — but were the questions about abortion, rape and even politics appropriate given his age and the fact that these topics have seemingly nothing to do with his music, movie or any of the products he sells?
“I think that anyone who has as much sway in popular culture as Justin should be asked all questions,” Grigoriadis said. “I agree that he does not bring up these issues in his work at the moment, but it’s possible that he will in the future, as he decides that he wants the public to know more about him.”
[From Popeater]
I kind of agree with her in that I think Bieber was giving a pat answer to the rape question but it’s something he’s never really thought about before. Like he may assume he knows how he feels about it, but he hasn’t really processed it yet. As for the sex thing, he had a pretty solid answer to it, don’t have sex until you love someone, because he’s figured out how he feels about that one. Now that’s enough time analyzing the thought process of a 16 year-old kid who hasn’t gone to school in several years.
Update: Thanks to DListed for pointing out that Rolling Stone has issued a correction to their original quote about abortion from Justin. They left out the sentence in bold below, which makes it sound more like he’s trying to figure out what he wants to say:
“Um. Well, I think that’s really sad, but everything happens for a reason. I don’t know how that would be a reason. I guess I haven’t been in that position, so I wouldn’t be able to judge that.”
Bieber is shown at the “Never Say Never” premiere at 2/16/11. Credit: PRPhotos
All in all, Rolling Stone shouldn’t have asked Justin that question. I think that’s an uncomfortable question to ask anyone, IMO.
But, Rolling Stone is freaking lame now. Lady Gaga on the cover twice, TWICE!!
And then there’s the fact they can’t put anybody interesting or truly talented on the cover anymore. Instead we get the same people over again, or some half-naked chick on the cover.
Magazines are selling out, just like the people they feature on their covers.
I agree that the RS writer should never have asked him questions about those things. I don’t even think a 16 year old boy is entitled to an opinion about abortion, unless he knocks some girl up.
My question is, in the second picture, what is that in his ear?
Um.
Even when I was sixteen, I knew how to watch my words. And I wasn’t constantly vetted to speak to reporters and be in the public eye.
The kid’s job is to sing and make 12 year old girls swoon, so I’m not sure how appropriate it is for him to be answering questions like this, but he should know when to think more before speaking when it comes to hot-button topics like that. He came off as pretty ignorant.
As for the amount of sway he has in pop culture, the majority of it is with younger people (right?). Nothing he says is going to sway me at the age of 30.
@Savvy – I’m not sure what it is, but my best guess would be an ear piece of sort?
Or maybe the little dude hasn’t heard of Q-Tips.
leave the bieb alone, this grandma loves the little guy stop the haters, give him a hug!
I agree, what the hell were they doing, asking him questions like that? Obviously they WANTED to get some type of ‘awkward’ answer, create this kind of media-buzz, get themselves in the spotlight. He’s 16! Did they expect some kind of incredibly insightful, meaning-of-life answer? Asking a freakin’ kid about abortion, FFS! That would be like asking my 12 year old about the economy and where he stands on the death penalty. I think it was a calculated, premeditated plan to bring this whole situation about, taking potshots at a KID. Niiiice, Rolling Stone. You’ve just lost another reader here.
To be safe Rolling Stone should have called the interview ”Kids say the darnest thing”.
Why would you asked a 16 year old stand on abortion? plllllllease!!!
And the sex comment is BS it’s the same answer Britney gave 10-12 years ago and we learned later that she was already not a virgin anymore.
Same thing with Bieb I’m sure that even if he’s 16, he’s not a virgin anymore.
Geeez regular kids have sex at the age of 12-13 these days and they don’t have groupies hangning around them all the time!!
I agree that most 16 year old kids don’t have the experience or knowledge to answer a question about abortion and rape, however, he should have just said what an awful situation that would be and he doesn’t think he can answer it. Instead, because he thinks he is so “smart” he gave a completely stupid, uninformed, inappropriate answer that I think will haunt him. As far as the US being evil?? Well, I guess we’re not so evil that you won’t take our teenagers money-huh Justin??
I agree with those who believe he shouldn’t have been asked those questions. It wasn’t the Miss America pageant!
@ Caramia – Give him a hug? Kim Kardashian did that, and look what happened there…
/the above comment is said in good fun. Not being snotty. 🙂
Give the kid a break. First, do we care what his feelings are about abortion?
Asking these questions is like making a baby who says ‘f’ for ‘tr’ say ‘truck.’
Just for laughs.
Co-sign all. Don’t ask a teenager about abortion or God. For that matter, maybe adults shouldn’t be asked the question either. It leads to nothing but a turd fight in a hamster cage.
Here’s the thing, at 16, you’re a sophomore/junior in high school. At that time, I was educated about politics (I had taken AP Euro history and AP US History). I had a strong understanding of, at the very least, the basics of politics. I also had to take a government and debate class that forced us to consider these issues, even in the slightest way.
I was on birth control at 17 and educated about safe sex. I had opinions about such things because I ran the risk of needing to know my feelings on abortion and sex because I was having it.
This kid should be smarter than this. When you think of what he is worth, no one with that money and to be honest, that amount of pop cultural pull, should be allowed to be this stupid. He will be able to vote in a year, or two. And all he can say is “it’s bad in Korea”?” Does he even know the difference between North and South? I mean, come on. THat’s shit you learn in high school.
I hated high school and there are things I learned that I couldn’t remember if my life depended on it (most of my math classes). But this kid is missing out on the basic building blocks of interest. He doesn’t strike me as a guy who will be in the music industry when he’s 32. I don’t see longevity here, like the Jonas Brothers and the Backstreet boys and Hanson didn’t have longevity. Their fans grow up with them. And when their fans start getting na interest in books or math or medicine or science or statistics or economics, guys like the Bieb are still wearing bright purple hoodies and skinny jeans and singing about things 25 year olds don’t care about. Seriously, ask the Jonas Brothers.
Hell, I’ll even give the J Bros credit, or at least Nick. Nick went before Congress and spoke about diabetes research. And he was 16.
Bieber is sheltered and needs to get a clue.
Great points, Stef.
Send Beiber Back to School. I am getting 1000 bumper stickers made.
I once met a lady who told me that rape happened to women who weren’t close enough to God… I swear I could have killed her at the moment.
i hate him less now.
Who cares what this little punk thinks about anything?
Shame on Rolling Stone for even putting him on the cover. Sad day!
Oh, I don’t know. When I was 16, I had debated the abortion topic quite extensively with my friends. And in debate class. It was a hot topic in the 80s, when clinics were being protested and bombed and doctors harmed.
Of course, I’m back to the last sentence of this article: this kid hasn’t even been in school in years. What does he know? When does he ever have informed discussions or debates with anyone on topics of substance?
Anyway, my point is not all 16 year olds are know-nothings. That’s plenty old enough to have informed yourself quite a bit and come to at least some tentative conclusions, even if they are “I’m not really sure where I stand on this, I need to research it further.”
And we did it back before information was so readily available at our fingertips. We read newspaper and magazine articles, watched the news.
God, I sound old.
Get off my lawn.
@Stef, as CB notes, the Bieb hasn’t been in school in years. I agree with you to the extent that yeah, he really ought to go, but does that change the fact that it was inappropriate to ask these questions of a kid that everyone KNOWS is not that highly educated? You got to take history and have a regular boyfriend and birth control. He has platinum records and a world tour. Different upbringing, entirely.
I didn’t need to know that he’s a dumb kid – it was obvious.
And as for the US being evil, Canadians are pretty much the only people I will accept this talk from.
Thank you, Stef.
He’s a typical celeb with simplistic ideas, and his only job is to entertain. Why anyone would care about his naive opinions, or give them any credibility, is beyond me.
In many countries, the Beebs IS an adult. Young, yes, but an adult. I dunno if RS should have asked those questions (I haven’t read RS in years, although I was reading it at 16), but at 16-17 you ought to be far more aware of the world than this.
Seriously, no one should become famous until they turn 18. GO TO SCHOOL, KIDS!
Don’t get me wrong: I’m no Bieber fan, but I actually feel bad for him. The reporter had a hell of a lot of nerve asking him that in the first place. 16 years old or not, that is a hot button issue that could make a lot of people uncomfortable and provide an “iffy” answer. Leave the kid alone.
Also, forgot to add: if you’re going to be a public figure, I do think you need to be ready to answer all kinds of questions. Not that you HAVE to answer any of them! But you need to at least be prepared and using his age is a cop-out. He’s not 12, he’s about 18 months away from being an adult, for crying out loud.
By the way, my daughter is exactly his age and just had to research and write an extensive essay on medically-assisted euthanasia. Took weeks just to complete the research and reading. She just goes to a normal public high school. I’m not bragging at all, but just reinforcing the point that high school sophomores/juniors should know some things.
But that’s YOU, Stef. I’m not saying that EVERY 16 year old can’t form cogent ideas about politics and history, but I’d wager a guess that vast number of 16 year olds CAN’T. And it doesn’t make them dumb, just ignorant and still learning. The fact that you COULD form intelligent opinions regarding politics, history et all, more than likely makes you the exception, rather than the rule.
Why are they asking this puny douche-in-training about politics anyway? He’s fucking twelve. And he’s a snot nosed rich kid.
At his age, he is still repeating what his parents have drilled into him. Soon enough he might do an interview where those views have changed.
I agree that the reporter was out of line asking questions like this. He is still a kid, and more importantly, who gives a crap what a 16 year old pop star thinks about politics and other issues?
But I also agree that he’s done enough media that he should have known to say “why are you asking ME that?” or “I don’t know, I’m 16 and a pop star.”
I compeltely disagree with those using his age as an excuse. At 16 you should be educated enough to discuss these issues. A lot of 16 year olds are. I, like @stef, was also debating these issues in class. I knew lots of teens that could have great discussions and knew how to speak and communicate. Theres a misconception that all young people are stupid because of the young celebs like him. He is not “just a kid” anymore. 16 is not that young. I think he needs to go to school. Mentally he is probably 12. Basically, stop saying “hes just a kid” because it enables him to keep being stupid and send him back to school. Of course his people will pull a lindsay lohan and blame the magazine and portray him as the victim.
Rita- I’m totally using your “turd fight in a hamster cage” analogy. I love it.
this interview contains several stupid questions, for instance, if he plans to get american citizenship… why would he? he is a Canadian and it seems that he is a proud one, he doesn’t come from some uncivilized country or a war zone, so what’s the point?
Pretty bad they left out his whole answer. No reason to have. It shows he was more thoughtful and struggling with it. He’s a kid. His thought processes are still immature because he doesn’t have the life experience and maturity to balance it. Give the kid a break and people shouldn’t ask him an adult question about rape at his age. Please. Sittng in an interview and being asked questions is a little bit different than sitting around with a group of people having a dialogue and learning from that.
It’s YOUR fault – you read a frickin’ JUSTIN BIEBER interview!!!
What did you expect – Gandhi with bangs???
Somebody really needs to school him on stuff that might get asked on interviews. He always sounds like an idiot.
i don’t know if there is difference in education(i’m from europe), but when i was 16 it was common to discuss contaception, safe sex, abortion, especially country’s political life and parties.actually, we discussed it in religion class (and i had a fight with my teacher, conservative prick,and although government and economics starts at 17th year here,we learned so much from history that you just had to KNOW basics of world and home politics.i don’t get this trend on NOT knowing, not being opinionated…
why would you want your life to be so shallow??
He is a child!
Who here had solid social or political views at this age!
Leave the boy alone he is not promoting himself as a deep thinker just an (unbearable) pop singer.
As adults we should look past this!
He is less than two years away from voting!! How can you cut him slack when he’s going to have the future of the free world on his shoulders! Assuming those same 12 year olds give a sh*t then, that is.
THIS KID IS 16 — WHY ARE THEY ASKING HIM QUESTIONS ABOUT ABORTION???? ROLLING STONE SHOULD BE ASHAMED!!!!
Why did Dlisted have to bold that sentence. It’s in the interview. Nothing was left out. Are people just not paying attention to what they read.
I will add I am Irish, so European also, I despise this kids music, but at his age if I were to be interviewed by some news outlet my answer would have been attrocious
I think Justin is against abortion even in cases of rape because that’s what he was probably taught. His mother is very religious so he’s probably been brought up to feel that way. At least he was questioning it a little in his response. I’m not even a fan of his, and I’m strongly pro choice, but I won’t call him stupid because his view is different than mine, well at least until he is older, then I’ll call him stupid.
“For that matter, maybe adults shouldn’t be asked the question either. It leads to nothing but a turd fight in a hamster cage.”
@ Rita. Yes, yes and yes! I don’t think people will ever agree on the topic of abortion, religion or politics.
And I’m so stealing ‘turd fight in a hamster cage.’ 😀
Whoa, some Bieberettes showed up.
Look, he’s a public figure. He’s also old enough to know about things.
So for better or for worse, he should be prepared for off the wall questions, at least to the extent to be able to say “my positions on that issue are private” or “I need to research that issue further.”
No one puts a gun to your head and MAKES you become a pop star or a public figure. No one threatens you with death if you don’t answer a damn interview question.
He’s not 12, as I said he’s about 18 months away from being a full-fledged adult. And he’s very very much in the public eye. So someone needs to do him the favor of at least training him in how to deal with questions he either doesn’t want to answer or can’t answer or both, so he won’t go on giving half-cocked, ill-informed opinions. Trust me, it won’t be so cute in a couple of years.
crisyroo said: “Who here had solid social or political views at this age!”
Actually, when I exactly his age I spent a summer working on an environmental political campaign, because I felt very strongly about environmental policy in the government. Not bragging, just making a point.
I don’t think I ever felt as strongly about social and political issues as I did when I was a teenager, because I was learning more about them in depth.
Now, sadly I just roll my eyes at a lot of stuff.
I do think Bieber is old enough to know what’s up, and have a conversation about this stuff. I’ll re-state that I don’t think he should have been asked these questions – not because of his age, but because his job involves dancing, crooning, and a ton of styling products. I doubt his contract rider includes a soapbox.
You know what would be great? If he encourages his fans to vote, once he hits voting age, and providing he’s still as popular.
What’s with all the uproar?
Isn’t being against the general idea of abortion – even in cases of rape – still quite common?
Things like rape and abortion are extremely situational and personal in the way that people respond when put into that position.
Cut the guy a break!
I haven’t read Rolling Stone in a while, but is this a new thing now? We ask teenagers about complex political/social issues just to get our jollies on? What’s the point?
I’m not trying to defend the Biebs, but if you were to ask me about my opinions on abortion/rape when I was 16, they’d be dramatically different than when I was, say, 18. I know as a young teenager I was strong-willed and opinionated, but I wasn’t well informed. I grew up in a very small(minded) conservative town, and was shovel-fed a lot of rhetoric without a lot of facts. It wasn’t until I actually got an education that I began to understand the socioeconomic/psychological complexities of the abortion issue, and I decided for myself where I stand.
I’m sure if I was interviewed at 16 about human sexuality (as a V, by the way 😉 ), I’d be absolutely mortified today.
And again, I’d like to reiterate – why the hell are we interviewing 16 yr olds about sex and sexuality in the first place?!?!?!
Not buying the whole age thing as an excuse. He’s a sheltered little turd.
When I was 16, I was very active volunteering for various political organizations, and interning for a U.S. Senator. A totally different upbringing, yes, but I was 16. So let’s not use age as an excuse. Just because he doesn’t have pubes doesn’t mean he can’t have an opinion. Sadly, his opinions lie on the dumb side of the aisle.
It sounded like a 16 year old answer to an adult question. I would have been offended if an adult answered a question like that but it seemed like he hadn’t really made his mind up about the matter based on his qualifier that he hadn’t been in the situation so he can’t really judge.
I know when I was that age I was a lot more conservative and judgemental about matters like that and now I’m pretty liberal. You never know.
Just to note, Nick Jonas HAS diabetes, so obviously he would know whereof he speaks.
Nudgie:
“What did you expect – Gandhi with bangs???”
LMFAO!!!!!!!
Oh, and “motheroftheyear”? Step off the soapbox, please. As a mother you should be a little more understanding, nurturing even, of the fact that JUSTIN’S MOM was 18 when she had him. AND she’s of a heavily religious Christian mentality.
SO maybe we should all take into consideration the fact that he may not have been given the tools that some of us have had access to in order to facilitate internships with public figures.
That being said, I am sure that he (and his handlers) will learn from these mistakes and that his next interviews will of a more informed nature.
To all of the people in such a hissy over him being young, when was the last time you were actually around a 16 year old, or tried having a conversation with them? Seriously, 10 years ago when I was 15-16, friends and I talked about abortion, sexuality, politics, armed forces, etc. Long before I was 18 I was as politically active as I could be. I was also sexually active and had open discussions with my family on abortion, safe sex, and sexuality. Sixteen year olds are budding adults, not precious fragile snowflakes that are as dumb (or dumber) than doorknobs who can’t comprehend social or cultural issues.
I actually have a bit of respect for Bieber now, given his answer on when to have sex. I applaud that he said wait for someone that you love, rather than, wait for marriage. When you turn 18 you don’t get a magic sticker that bestows great wisdom and opinions on you. One thing that I feel is truly wrong with America, is the hardcore abstinence stance, where so many people and parents feel the way to go about making sure teens don’t have sex, is to not talk about it, or simply inform them to wait until marriage. I don’t know all of your ages, but I sure as hell remember the raging hormones at 14, 15, 16.. and I am very thankful that my family was open about sex related issues, I feel it saved me from a lot of mistakes that I saw happening first hand with friends who were taught abstinence only.
In closing, I would like one of the ‘Send Bieber Back to School’ bumper stickers.
What’s with all the I was smarter at 16 than Justin Bieber comments? so what! Justin is no different to all the other 16 year olds out there, some are really smart, politically and socially involved and some are just into their sports, fashion, justin bieber, robert pattinson and have no idea there are 2 koreas.
Is it legal to ask a minor about sex and abortion? I mean – I would feel pretty weird as a clueless 16 year old to be asked these kind of questions.
IMO this has been a deliberated provocation for the RS to get some media. They KNEW this kiddo couldn’t win.
Talk about a mountain out of a mole hill. Did people even read the full quote in context or did they just see what they wanted to see? I dont think he said anything worth getting this excited over and its a big deal over nothing. He just said that its a sad situation and he cant judge what someone would do in that situation. How is that news worthy???
@Kiki: That woman you are talking about sounds like that dumbfuck Sharron Angle with her “Rape is God’s plan”. Like everything happens for a reason, and if a rape leads to a conception, then that is God’s plan.
Yeah, I don’t understand why people are getting kinda crazed, here. I know I’ve posted a few times in this thread in the spirit of debate but I think I need to make the following point:
Guys, we’re talking about Justin Bieber. Justin Bieber.
Justin Bieber.
No, really. Justin Bieber.
Let’s all take a deep breath, ok? 🙂
Hey if it weren’t for the for profit health care(even with insurance companies, they are sharks), I’d be the first in line trying to immigrate to the US.
I think the US have far more diverse and innovative places to live than Canada. But I love the peace of mind/freedom our health care system gives us too much. He was calling the health care system evil, not the american people. And I’m pretty sure he was using hyperbole with the word. So I don’t see why some would be offended by that.
Anyway he is too young and dumb to be taken so seriously on these heavy topics.
sounds like a good republican >> ‘take the lemons and make lemonade’ after that oh.so.unfortunate rape.. christ who gives a shit what some friggin twink has to say about women’s reproductive issues – not to say his idiotic and insulting comments about rape.
I agree with Stef. By 16, I had already decided my stance on abortion after thinking about the issue a lot. I was also sexually active and on the pill so I would not have to be in the position of deciding on whether or not to get one myself.
We all know that teenagers have sex. Why would we then give them a pass and not ask them about the direct consequences of that activity? If they’re old enough to be having sex, they’re old enough to think about abortion. We SHOULD be asking kids about abortion because it will make them actually think about how complicated sex is, and will encourage them to use protection. Acting like they’re not mature enough to discuss controversial topics is like plugging your ears and saying “lalalala” and then being stunned by the teenage pregnancy rate.
Teenagers may not be the most mature human beings, but they are still old enough to learn that they will be held accountable for their actions. Not discussing things with them just leaves them ignorant. And ignorant people do stupid things.
Talking to Justin Bieber in an interview about abortion means that his fans (overwhelmingly uterus-owning females who have to bear the consequences of pregnancy) will also think about this issue. That’s a good thing.
Let him be who he is. Even if that is stupid or uninformed (which I have yet to be convinced of) he is still 16 and its a long long road ahead of him. Not everyone has to be passionate about politics. Maybe he just wants to focus on music and dance right now because that is his passion. I say, fine. He doesn’t have to learn about Asian history to impress me, its not like I’d listen to his music even if he was Colin frickin Powell.
Not to be sexist but we are not just talking about a 16 year-old but a 16 year old BOY. I parent a 16 year-old boy and let me tell you, there are incredible moments of high intelligence and insight but then there are certain moments where you just shake your head and ask them to re-phrase (and re-think) what they are saying/thinking. He shouldn’t get a free pass necessarily but he is a teenager with raging hormones who probably was like a deer in headlights when asked such a deep question.
Christ, he’s only 16… :-/
When I was 16, I was more concerned with music, acting, and being 16 than I was with politics.
I really have little affection for this kid, but I took his comment not to be that “rape happens for a reason,” but that pregnancies from rape might happen for a reason. It’s a fairly common right to life sentiment. Not saying I agree or disagree with what he said (I don’t really talk politics, religion, or sex as a rule, especially on the internet), I just think I know where he’s coming from.
This kid irritates the pure hell out of me…
But even I concede that he was asked questions he wasn’t really expecting. He was forced to develop deep emotional/moral opinions in a few awkward seconds, on the fly.
(This next comment has nothing to do with my opinion of abortion, so I don’t mean to offend or upset anyone.
But he also had to take into account the reason he used against abortion (‘It’s killing a baby’) in regards to the rape pregnancy question. Technically, abortion under *any* circumstances is ‘killing a baby’.
He would’ve been damned if he did, damned if he didn’t, no matter what he said.
LOL @ Nudgie. Ghandi with bangs indeed.
Now, I don’t particularly care what this kid has to say about any hot topic, and I agree somewhat with how it should have been an off-limits question. Hell, its kind of an off-limits question in many conversations, sort of a touchy subject no. I was a naive 16-yr old and hadn’t fully dev’p my stance, but I was also not a today’s 16-yr-old, and I hadn’t traveled the world, etc etc. Wasn’t sexually active either. Yes, someone should at least tell him how to answer. It was probably questioned because he’s some kind of “role model”.
Which is why this is also upsetting to many I’d guess. This kid has got some crazy crazy fans, and I would want some little dough-head’s opinion on such big issues being swayed by stupid comments. I can only imagine.
I think it was kind of an unfair question to ask. And not just because he’s 16. But because it’s such a hot button topic. No matter what your stance is, there is going to be people giving you hell for it.
Shannon, well written. I don’t understand why teenagers having sex is considered a problem in the first place. It’s not! The problem is the lack of education on how to practice safe sex and the limited access to birth control for young people.
I’m Swedish, and Sweden is a secular country not promoting abstinence, yet Swedes and Americans make their sexual debut at about the same age. The big difference is the number of teenage childbirths. 41 in the US compared to 6 in Sweden(The annual number of births to women aged 15-19 years per 1,000 women in that age group, source WHO).
Good luck in reducing those numbers, if you consider a 16 year old too young to even be asked those questions.
Not a Bieber fan, but honestly, what did people expect him to say?
His mother was 18 when she had him. Yes, she is very religious, but I’m sure at some point, abortion must have crossed her mind or it might have been suggested to her.
Of course he’s against it, because it could have been HIM. And I’m sure he recognizes that, therefore his answer that it’s “God’s plan”.
I’m pro-choice, and I think at 18, I wouldn’t have done the same thing.
Rolling Stones sucked for asking him those questions.
His handlers sucked for not getting the questions in advance.
His handlers doubly suck for allowing him to become so over-exposed that ppl are just waiting for a reason to turn on him.
Which brings us back to that Rolling Stones interview…
many 16 year olds have opinions on topics like these, and i dont think kthat RS was out of line asking a question like this. Is it wrong for them to assume that teenagers have views and knowledge of world problem? Any 16 year old can give a response to that question, without sounding stupid. Just because hes a singer, doesnt mean he cant talk about life issues, although it seems like hes going to need to think a littl bit more about that.
Ipse Dixit – “Good luck in reducing those numbers, if you consider a 16 year old too young to even be asked those questions.”
It’s not that I think he’s too young to have an opinion about sexual matters. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with teenagers having sex (safely).
I wouldn’t say it should be ‘off limits‘ either, but he’s a 16 year old pop star. It’s not like he’s making himself the leader of the ‘pro-life’ movement. Those controversial questions were asked when they have absolutely nothing to do with his career, or his upcoming tour.
If he was out there being judgmental with strong opinions, talking about abortion, that would be another case entirely. But he isn’t.
@ bluhair: Not to sound condescending, but while he may be less than 2 years away from voting, he doesn’t have any “weight” on his shoulders outside of expressing an opinion…if it’s not the opinion you support, than let it be so; and if he doesn’t have a strong feeling on the subject of abortion (or anything for that matter), he doesn’t have to vote at all. Simmer down. I mean, it’s Justin Bieber, popstar. Let the boy worry about his own thoughts.
The interviewer really is getting into BEYOND inappropriate territory by asking him that question.
They only want Britneys on the cover when they’re underaged or damn near, now this bizarre, creepy question of a teenage Youtube sensation?
They’re dipping in Woody Allen’s back yard.
Same topic: Didn’t Usher finally remind you of Michael Jackson for the first time (his dream) at the Grammy’s when Bieber popped out on stage during his performance looking like his little McCauley Culkin?
didnt get to read every comment but did anyone else notice his earwax in the side on shot
He hasn’t been in school in years and it shows. Not that I’m a huge fan of formal schooling, but since it’s apparent that his parents aren’t educating him, at least someone should. His “team” should preview interview questions from now on if he’s going to be so ignorant on topics that they ask.
@Jag – “His “team” should preview interview questions from now on if he’s going to be so ignorant on topics that they ask.”
I was under the impression that was standard procedure for any celebrity interview. There’s really no response he could give that wouldn’t alienate *someone*, in regards to such sensitive subjects.
I still can’t stand him. He’s everywhere, & it’s incredibly annoying to see his face on tv, & on everything from T-shirts, bags, perfume & nail polish… Life sized cardboard cut-outs & posters in movie stores & Hot Topic, & In legitimate bookstores with a ‘biography’ he hasn’t even been alive long enough to write. Ugh. x_x Make it stop…
Okay. I really, really don’t like Beiber’s music. I think his fans are insane. I am not, I repeat, not advocating for this position, but would like everyone to consider it before they go to town on this kid. Especially since half of you have been patting yourselves on the back about your debate classes and deep insights, you haven’t even done him the very first polite courtesy of argumentation, to take a weak argument and build it to the strongest possible interpretation of what was said.
If you were of a mind that abortion is murder, then it should not matter if the mother was a victim of rape, incest, or simply had an unwanted pregnancy in the course of consensual sex. The baby remains an innocent victim of murder regardless of the circumstances under which it was conceived.
Is a fetus a human being? Do we owe it moral regard? In other words, is abortion murder? That is an entirely separate, though fundamental debate with a lot of issues to cover and one which has in no way enjoyed broad public agreement. He was not asked to address ANY of those issues. He was given the chance to offer an opinion on a political hand grenade and did so with a position which was consistent with an anti-abortion stance.
Finally, if your opinions on everything were set in stone, unchanged into your dotage, when you were sixteen? I feel a great deal of pity for you.
@Paris Troika – Admittedly I didn’t read back through all the comments before mine. But I agree with you.
I just believe it was unfair to propose such a question to him, especially without warning. It just seems like (as with most teenagers, especially boys) he’d never had the occasion to give that subject of pregnancy/rape/abortion any real thought.
Calling it a hand grenade is definitely accurate. You’re right that if his reason behind disagreeing with abortion is that it’s ‘killing a baby’. In that line of opinion, no matter how a pregnancy came about, it would still be wrong to have an abortion.
I feel there are a lot of contradictory laws currently in place that should be taken into consideration when deciding if it is, or isn’t, murder, thus legal. When a pregnant woman is killed by someone, they can be charged with 2 separate murders. & when an attack on a pregnant woman causes the loss of a pregnancy, it’s still considered homicide.
But no matter how far along a woman is in her pregnancy, she has the option to have an abortion, thus having a doctor kill the child. But because it’s a decision connected to her body, she can’t be accused of murder, by law.
They contradict eachother. You really can’t have it both ways. Either it’s taking a life (making it illegal), or a fetus is not considered a separate ‘life’, meaning it couldn’t be considered as having a ‘death’, thus not illegal.
Personally, I don’t know how I feel about it. I get so conflicted. I don’t think I could go through with an abortion, but I’ve also never been accidentally pregnant, or experienced sexual assault. So I can’t judge those experiences.
seriously, am not a fan , but FFS!
His answer doesn´t mean he doesn´t know anything about this sensitive topic, even a 10 year old is aware of things like that , but that doesn´t make him mature enough to answer (nor any teenager or adult) and that´s actually an opinion not a scientific fact. And I know 40 year olds who share the same opinion as his! At 16 I knew a lot but my opinions today are very much different than when I was 16, hich I like calling GROWING UP!
he´s 16 meaning he can have sex meaning he can get someone pregnant…why not asking about abortion and rape? did they ask him if he wears a condom hwen he has sex? I don´t want to see his answer to that….
I’m no Bieber fan BUT the outrageous part for me is that they are chopping up quotes that people make to stir controversy and damage to someone so young. Like oh yeah we forgot that we left out a sentence that makes him seem sympathetic. Shitty journalism there and a shitty way of doing business.
Es-per-an-za!
Penguen said: “crisyroo said: “Who here had solid social or political views at this age!”
Actually, when I exactly his age I spent a summer working on an environmental political campaign, because I felt very strongly about environmental policy in the government.”
Agreed. When I was 16 or 17, I had joined a junior political party. I was very interested and active in politics at an early age. But then again, but my family had always been interested in political issues. And you see many student activists these days, protesting about something. Also, topics like rape and abortion are discussed in sex/health class, younger than 16. Surely he would have known a little about it. And like someone else said, he could have said no comment or I don’t know much about the issue. I disagree 100% on his stance but I suppose he does have a right to his own view.
Even Justin bieber id 16 years old and mayb he doesnt kbps all those things of abotion he has a very golf answer and i agree with him..”everything ballena for a resano, but wats that reason.. Its like killing a baby” and the baby id there but not formed yet.Its goot yo know that actual ppl and young ppl think like that and defend their point of views. Im proud of bieber,hes right!!