What Happens to the Baby in Juno? A Comprehensive Guide
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What does Juno do with the baby? After initially considering an abortion, 16-year-old Juno MacGuff decides to carry her pregnancy to term and place the baby for adoption. She initially selects Mark and Vanessa Loring, a seemingly perfect, affluent couple she finds through a Penny Saver ad. However, after a series of emotional developments and a change of heart by Vanessa, Juno ultimately gives her baby to Vanessa Loring, who decides to raise the child as a single mother. Juno herself does not keep the baby; she hands the child over to Vanessa.
Juno’s Journey: From Decision to Delivery
The film Juno charts a complex emotional journey for its teenage protagonist. Discovering her pregnancy after a single sexual encounter with her friend Paulie Bleeker, Juno grapples with a range of options. Her initial consideration of abortion is quickly dismissed. Instead, she decides that adoption is the best course of action for both herself and her child. This choice, though it appears to be a clear-cut decision, is not made without internal conflict and growth.
The Initial Plan: The Lorings
Juno’s first choice for adoptive parents, Mark and Vanessa Loring, seem ideal on paper. Mark is a cool, fun-loving, and somewhat childish man who shares some of Juno’s pop-culture interests. Vanessa, on the other hand, appears to be a somewhat high-strung and career-focused woman, desperate for a child of her own because she is infertile. This dynamic plays a crucial role as the story unfolds. Juno’s interactions with Mark create some tension that eventually causes Mark to leave Vanessa, shaking up the entire adoption plan.
The Pivotal Moment: A Note and a Change of Heart
However, the adoption plan takes a drastic turn when Mark reveals his attraction to Juno and decides to leave Vanessa. This betrayal and the emotional connection she felt with Mark leave Juno feeling hurt and confused. It is then that Juno slips a note under Vanessa’s door saying, “Vanessa: If you’re still in, I’m still in.” This simple note is the catalyst for Vanessa’s decision to become a single parent. When Juno goes into labor, Vanessa rushes to the hospital with Juno’s note in hand. It becomes clear that the baby will indeed go home with Vanessa, not Mark.
The Final Act: Giving the Baby to Vanessa
The final act of the film shows the birth of Juno’s child, a baby boy. Juno doesn’t waver in her decision to give the baby to Vanessa. While she feels sadness at the separation, the movie’s ending underscores her maturity and the difficult decision she has made. Juno places the baby into Vanessa’s arms, completing the emotional transaction. Juno then departs, with a degree of contentment in her choices. The baby does not go to a generic adoption agency or a new family, but instead to the single adoptive mother Juno chose.
Frequently Asked Questions About Juno and Her Baby
To further clarify Juno’s journey with her baby, let’s explore some frequently asked questions:
1. Did Juno ever consider keeping the baby?
Initially, Juno decides to put the baby up for adoption almost immediately. She never seriously considers keeping the baby herself as a single teen mother. She wants to provide a complete family for her child. She does, however, experience moments of emotional difficulty as the pregnancy progresses.
2. Why did Juno choose adoption over abortion?
Juno dismisses the idea of abortion early in the movie after a brief stop at an abortion clinic and the suggestion of her friend Leah. She decides that adoption is the better path for herself and her child. The film does not condemn abortion, but instead portrays the choices of one teenage girl.
3. Who did Juno initially plan to give the baby to?
Juno initially planned to give her baby to Mark and Vanessa Loring, a married couple she found through an advertisement in the Penny Saver. They seemed like a good fit for the baby initially, but Mark’s actions caused them to split up before the baby arrived.
4. Did Juno have a relationship with the adoptive parents before the birth?
Yes, Juno formed a relationship with both Mark and Vanessa Loring during her pregnancy, which significantly influenced her decision-making process and the adoption process in the end. However, this relationship became complex due to Mark’s feelings for her.
5. Why did Vanessa decide to raise the baby alone?
After Mark left her, Vanessa initially thought the adoption wouldn’t happen. Juno’s note saying, “If you’re still in, I’m still in,” moved Vanessa and inspired her to become a single adoptive mother.
6. Did Juno and Vanessa stay in touch after the adoption?
The movie ends with Juno and Vanessa parting ways, without any indication of plans for future contact. The focus is on Juno and Paulie reconnecting, not Juno and Vanessa.
7. Does Juno show any sadness or regret in giving her baby away?
Yes, Juno does show moments of sadness and difficulty with her decision, especially when she gives the baby to Vanessa. However, the film presents her decision as ultimately beneficial for her and the child. She accepts her choice with a mature understanding of its impact.
8. How did the baby affect Juno’s relationship with Paulie?
The pregnancy ultimately strengthens the relationship between Juno and Paulie. Paulie, who is initially surprised by Juno’s pregnancy, supports her throughout the process and they confess their love for one another near the end of the movie. They eventually reunite.
9. What message does the film convey about teen pregnancy and adoption?
Juno presents teen pregnancy as a complex situation with multiple emotional layers. The film neither glorifies nor condemns teen pregnancy, but it portrays adoption as a valid and potentially positive choice for both the mother and the child.
10. Was the baby’s father, Paulie, involved in the adoption decision?
Paulie’s role is primarily supportive. He is present for Juno and supportive of her choice to give the baby up for adoption, but ultimately Juno made her own decision. He never tries to dictate her choice.
11. Does Juno have any other siblings?
Yes, Juno has an older sister, played by Olivia Thirlby, who acts as a confidant to Juno. However, her sister’s role is more about Juno’s support system than it is the baby’s future.
12. Is Vanessa infertile?
While the film does not explicitly state that Vanessa is infertile, it is implied that this is why she is so desperate to adopt. She expresses a deep longing for motherhood, which underscores her willingness to adopt Juno’s baby.
13. Does Juno portray adoption as an easy solution?
No, the movie does not depict adoption as an easy solution. It portrays the emotional complexities of the situation for all parties involved, including the birth mother, the adoptive parent, and the baby itself.
14. Did Mark Loring have any rights to the child after leaving Vanessa?
No, Mark loses any potential rights to the child when he leaves Vanessa. The film makes it clear that he is not a part of the baby’s future.
15. How old was Elliot Page during the filming of Juno?
Elliot Page was 20 years old while filming Juno, though the character she portrays is 16. This is a key detail that showcases the actor’s maturity in the role.
In conclusion, Juno tackles the sensitive topic of teen pregnancy with nuance and complexity. The baby’s journey in the film is a reflection of Juno’s own journey, from indecision to confident self-awareness. She chose to give her baby to Vanessa Loring, who was determined to become a mother. This decision concludes one of the most popular teenage pregnancy movies of all time.