As much as Bristol Palin's pregnancy has been batted about in the MSM and the blogs, I believe something important has been left out of the discussion.

Even John Stewart missed it yesterday when chatting with Newt Gingrich; Stewart noted that the press release stated that it was "Bristol's decision to have her baby" -- a choice the McCain/Palin ticket would seek to take away from American women.

But here's what's missing in the coverage and discussion:

While it will be the most life changing event of her life, Bristol Palin's pregnancy will have less of an effect on her life then a pregnant teenager living in, say, Appalachia. A teenager I'll call "Megan"."

You see, Bristol has the support of a loving family. "Megan" might not. "Megan" most likely comes from a dysfunctional family.

Bristol, as a governor's daughter, will have access to more than adequate prenatal care. "Megan" might not.

Bristol will always be able to get to her appointments. "Megan" might not.

Bristol, and her child, will have excellent care after the baby is born. "Megan" might not.

Bristol will have access to excellent child care while she finishes high school. "Megan" might not.

Bristol will have someone to care for the child if she decides to go to college. Not only will "Megan" almost certainly not have someone to care for her child if she wanted to attend college, she almost certainly won't be able to afford to go to college in the first place.

Bristol, due to her mother's turn in the spotlight, will have life chances denied "Megan", living a life of quiet desparation in the mountains of Appalachia.

So. While her pregnancy will be a significant life change for Bristol Palin, it will not destroy her life chances, or those of her child.

For "Megan", however, an unwanted pregnancy will significantly impact the odds she'll finish high school, and put college out of reach, if not out of imagining. Lack of an adequate education will significantly impact "Megan's" chances at getting a well paying job. Which will significantly impact her housing, her health...and almost certainly lead to a sense hopelessness and helplessness. All of which will impact her child's chances. And thus the wheel turns. And turns. And turns.

In sum; while Bristol Palin's pregnancy looks familiar to many American families, in the details, it is nothing like the majority of teen pregnancies in America. Nothing like the challenges faced by "Danielle" in urban America, or "Amanda" in suburban America, or "Nicole" in rural America.

Not. Even. Close.