Poster for The Secret Life of the American Teenager

The Secret Life of the American Teenager (2008) Parents Guide: Is the series OK for kids?

Name: The Secret Life of the American Teenager
Rating: 6.8

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

Amy and her friends at Grant High learn to define themselves while they navigate the perilous waters of contemporary adolescence. Between their love triangles, secrets, drama, accusations, gossip, confusion, and scandalous rumors, there's never a dull moment.

TV-14 • 2008 • 5 seasons

6.8

100+

Average rating by Bontent members

Age

13+

The Secret Life of the American Teenager is an ABC Family drama following Amy Juergens, a 15-year-old who becomes pregnant after a one-time sexual encounter at band camp. It ran five seasons from 2008 to 2013 and was one of the most-watched cable shows among teens during its peak. Created by Brenda Hampton (7th Heaven), the show attempts to address teen pregnancy, sexual activity, and consequences with a values-forward lens. For… Sign up for the full guide

Cast

Shailene Woodley

Megan Park

Daren Kagasoff

Ken Baumann

Greg Finley

Francia Raísa

Steve Schirripa

Unlock ratings, reviews, recommendations and guides for all content types

Is The Secret Life of the American Teenager appropriate for kids?

Content severity in The Secret Life of the American Teenager Sign up for season-by-season breakdown

Substances Intense 10/10

Language None 0/10

Sex/Nudity Intense 10/10

Violence/Gore Mild 2/10

Mature Themes Intense 10/10

Sex and nudity in The Secret Life of the American Teenager

High in dialogue; mild in depiction. The show discusses teen sexual activity with extraordinary frequency but depicts it with extreme restraint — nothing is shown beyond kissing. The contradiction between the show's constant sexual dialogue and its visual modesty is its defining paradox. Physical content is completely clean; thematic and verbal sexual content is among the highest in this library. Research from the journal Pediatrics found the show's constant focus on sex — even within a cautionary frame — was…

Violence and gore in The Secret Life of the American Teenager

Essentially absent. The show contains virtually no violence. The most dramatically intense moment — Adrian's stillbirth — is handled emotionally rather than graphically. Not a content concern across any season.

Language in The Secret Life of the American Teenager

Essentially absent. The show aired on ABC Family with very clean language standards throughout. Not a content concern — the show's extremely high adult content comes entirely from sexual dialogue and themes rather than language.

Mature themes in The Secret Life of the American Teenager

The show's thematic ambition is real but its execution is divisive. Teen pregnancy, single motherhood, stillbirth, sexual identity, abstinence, and the consequences of sexual choices are all addressed with genuine sincerity. Grace's father dying immediately after she has sex for the first time is widely criticized as heavy-handed consequence-based moralizing. The show's pro-abstinence messaging is consistent but not always earned by its storytelling. Adrian's stillbirth is the most emotionally authentic single…

Bontent Member Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Secret Life of the American Teenager appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests The Secret Life of the American Teenager is best for ages 13+. It's rated TV-14. The Secret Life of the American Teenager is an ABC Family drama following Amy Juergens, a 15-year-old who becomes pregnant after a one-time sexual encounter at band camp. It ran five seasons from 2008 to 2013 and was…

What age rating does The Secret Life of the American Teenager have?

The Secret Life of the American Teenager is rated TV-14. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.

What is The Secret Life of the American Teenager about?

How many seasons does The Secret Life of the American Teenager have?

The Secret Life of the American Teenager has 5 seasons covered in this parent guide. Sign up to see a season-by-season breakdown.

Is there sex or nudity in The Secret Life of the American Teenager?

Our reviewers didn't note meaningful sexual content across The Secret Life of the American Teenager.

How violent is The Secret Life of the American Teenager?

Violence isn't a standout concern across The Secret Life of the American Teenager per our reviewers.

Is the language in The Secret Life of the American Teenager appropriate for kids?

Strong language isn't flagged across The Secret Life of the American Teenager.

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Secret Life of the American Teenager?