Anya MacPherson is one of the main characters in the teen drama TV series Degrassi: The Next Generation. She was introduced in season 7 and was on the show until graduating in season 11. Anya goes through many ups and downs as a teenager at Degrassi Community School, including relationships, friendships, academics, and extracurricular activities. One major storyline for Anya involves her sexual relationships and a pregnancy scare. Viewers are left wondering if Anya actually ends up pregnant before finishing her time at Degrassi.
Anya’s Character History and Relationships
When Anya is first introduced in season 7, she is shown as Holly J’s sidekick and desperate to be popular. She is insecure and goes to great lengths to get Holly J’s approval. Over time, Anya gains more confidence and independence. She joins the Power Squad cheerleading team and develops an interest in student council. Anya runs for treasurer in season 8 and starts dating Sav Bhandari. Their relationship faces turmoil when Anya begins omitting Sav due to her rising popularity. They eventually break up.
In season 9, Anya pursues a relationship with Dr. Chris, who is the school’s young, attractive new principal. This inappropriate relationship causes a major scandal once it’s revealed. Anya is forced to resign from Power Squad. She also begins dating Riley Stavros, one of the first openly gay characters on Degrassi. Anya and Riley pretend to date to hide his sexuality. The two actually develop feelings for each other, but Riley comes out as gay at the school’s dance.
Relationship with Owen Milligan
Anya’s most significant relationship is with Owen Milligan in seasons 10 and 11. Owen is portrayed as a reformed bully who now wants to better himself and graduate high school. He and Anya seemingly begin as an unlikely couple but soon fall for each other. They face disapproval from Anya’s friends, who remember Owen as their former tormentor. Anya loses her virginity to Owen and lies about it to Holly J, claiming she had sex with Dr. Chris.
As their relationship progresses, Anya and Owen are shown being sexually intimate on several occasions. They almost have sex at school during the frostival, but Anya stops it from going too far. For their six-month anniversary, Anya considers having sex with Owen again but changes her mind after reflecting on her values. She decides to abstain from sex until marriage. Owen is initially upset but comes to understand and respect Anya’s decision.
Anya’s Pregnancy Scare
In the season 11 episode “Paper Planes (Part 1),” Anya begins experiencing symptoms like fatigue and nausea. She confides in Holly J that she thinks she might be pregnant. A pregnancy would derail Anya’s plans to attend university after graduating Degrassi. Terrified, Anya purchases a pregnancy test but is too nervous to take it.
Later, in the episode “Paper Planes (Part 2),” Anya works up the courage to take the pregnancy test with Holly J’s support. While waiting for the results, she confesses that she and Owen had unprotected sex one time. Anya is relieved when the test comes back negative and she realizes her symptoms are from stress. She vows to be more responsible going forward.
The pregnancy scare pushes Anya to think more seriously about her future. She decides to run for Degrassi’s student council president and is elected. Anya’s leadership skills impress a university administrator, who invites her to apply to the National Leadership Camp. In the season 11 finale, Anya graduates from Degrassi and looks forward to college.
Does Anya Get Pregnant?
While Anya MacPherson has a major pregnancy scare in Degrassi season 11, she does not actually end up pregnant in the end. The scare serves as a wake-up call for Anya to be smarter about her sexual choices. Afterward, she re-commits to abstinence until marriage. Anya also refocuses her energy on academics and getting into college.
Some key points about Anya’s pregnancy storyline:
- Anya purchases a pregnancy test after experiencing symptoms of fatigue and nausea.
- She reveals to Holly J that she previously had unprotected sex with Owen.
- The pregnancy test comes back negative, relieving Anya’s fears.
- Anya realizes her symptoms were from stress, not pregnancy.
- She decides to abstain from sex again until she’s married.
- Anya graduates Degrassi without ever being pregnant.
The pregnancy scare served as a dramatic plot point and source of character growth for Anya. It showed her re-evaluating her priorities and maturing. However, the writers chose not to actually have 16-year-old Anya become pregnant. She pursues college after graduating Degrassi, free from the responsibilities of teen motherhood.
Reasons Anya Does Not Get Pregnant
There are several plausible reasons why the writers did not decide to have Anya get pregnant:
- Avoids teen pregnancy trope – Teen dramas often rely on teen pregnancy storylines for drama. Having Anya avoid pregnancy subverts this expected trope.
- Reinforces positive values – Anya ultimately choosing abstinence and responsibility sends a positive message to young viewers.
- Focuses her goals – Pregnancy would derail Anya’s college and career dreams, shifting the focus away from her ambitions.
- Conclusion to relationship with Owen – The pregnancy scare provides closure for Anya’s romance with Owen before graduation.
- Creates character growth – Dealing with the scare maturely allows for Anya’s growth into a responsible young adult.
Having Anya become pregnant would have sent a very different message and required changing many planned storylines. Her character was able to complete her arc and depart Degrassi for a bright future.
Reactions to Anya’s Pregnancy Scare
Anya’s pregnancy scare in Degrassi season 11 elicits strong reactions from her friends:
- Holly J – As Anya’s best friend, Holly J is supportive and encourages her to take the pregnancy test.
- Fiona – Fiona reassures Anya that everything will be okay no matter the outcome.
- Owen – Owen is shocked at the possibility of Anya being pregnant with his child.
- Sav – Her ex-boyfriend Sav is disappointed in Anya’s reckless choices.
- Riley – Riley reminds Anya that she has a big future ahead and a potential pregnancy shouldn’t derail her dreams.
The pregnancy scare storyline created significant drama and tension for Anya’s character. Her friends react in ways that are realistic for concerned teenagers. Their reactions help guide Anya to the right decision for her future.
How the Pregnancy Scare Impacts Anya
Anya’s pregnancy scare has a profound impact on her character for the rest of Degrassi season 11:
- She embraces abstinence again – Anya waits until marriage before having sex again.
- She focuses on academics – Getting top grades becomes a priority for Anya.
- She runs for president – The scare inspires Anya to lead Degrassi’s student council.
- She gets into college – Anya’s achievements result in a college acceptance letter.
- She graduates matured – By graduation, Anya has grown into a responsible adult.
Facing the possibility of teen pregnancy helps Anya get her priorities in line. She stops making impulsive choices and puts her future first. The pregnancy scare was clearly a pivotal moment that set Anya on a positive path into adulthood.
Themes Related to Anya’s Pregnancy Scare
Some important themes and messages that are conveyed through Anya’s pregnancy scare storyline include:
- Sexual responsibility – The need for teens to make accountable sexual choices.
- Abstinence – Choosing to abstain from sex until marriage.
- Self-respect – Making choices true to one’s values and goals.
- Peer pressure – Resisting pressure to have sex before ready.
- Maturity – Handling challenging situations in grown-up ways.
- Learning from mistakes – Using past errors in judgment as lessons.
Anya’s experience is one many teen viewers can relate to and learn from. The show uses her story to promote thoughtful sexual decision-making.
Comparison to Other Degrassi Teen Pregnancies
Over its long run, Degrassi portrayed several controversial teen pregnancies. However, unlike those characters, Anya avoids actually becoming a teen mom.
Some noteworthy comparisons:
- Manny Santos – In Degrassi: The Next Generation, Manny has an abortion after becoming pregnant at age 15.
- Holly J Sinclair – Holly J experiences a pregnancy scare like Anya did but takes the morning after pill.
- Jenna Middleton – Jenna gets pregnant in Degrassi season 9 and gives birth at age 17.
- Vanessa – A minor character, Vanessa is shown to be pregnant in Degrassi: Next Class.
Anya’s storyline stands out for not following through with an actual teen pregnancy like these other characters. She represents a young woman making a choice to be responsible for her future.
Conclusion
In summary, Anya MacPherson has a big pregnancy scare but does not actually end up pregnant during her seasons on Degrassi. She takes a pregnancy test after having unprotected sex with her boyfriend Owen, but finds out it’s negative. The scare serves as a wakeup call, causing Anya to refocus on academics and getting into college.
Anya’s storyline sends an important message about sexual responsibility and resisting peer pressure. While other Degrassi characters faced teen motherhood, Anya’s character offers a more positive outcome. Her pregnancy scare led to maturity and personal growth. By not becoming pregnant, Anya was able to graduate Degrassi and look forward to a bright future.
