The Film Juno

As much as Juno de-stigmatizes teen pregnancy, presenting it as a straightforward event rather than a terrifying cause for alarm, it also de-stigmatizes the process of adoption. As we watch Juno vet whether Vanessa and Mark are suitable parents for her unborn child, we effectively learn more about the process of choosing to adopt or give up a child for adoption. Juno approaches the process very straightforwardly; she knows she is not up to the task of raising a child, and so wants to give the child a good home with people who can look after it. Vanessa is so eager to be a mother that Juno is confident in her choice to make her the adoptive mother. While Vanessa may be uptight and type-A, in contrast to Juno's more casual and snarky demeanor, she is surely going to be an excellent mother. The film shows that motherhood is not simply about biology but also about human behavior and the desire to mother. It shows that Vanessa qualifies to be the baby's mother precisely because she wants to be and because Juno is willing to give her that role. This serves to demystify adoption for viewers who do not have firsthand experience with the process.