teenage pregnancy

Teenage pregnancy is prengnancy in a female under the age of 20. A pregnancy can take place at any time after puberty, which technically begins about two weeks before menarche (first menstrual period).

It has adverse effects, specially on women under 14 because of their low pelvic development. After this age, most of the problems are socioeconomical, including the lack of money to maintain a baby or having to drop out of school to take care of the child.

Teenage pregnancy is often affected by bad eating habits, stress and medical conditions that can worsen the situation.

causes:

• General situation
• sexuality 
• role of drug and alcohol use
• age idscrepancy in relationships 
• dating violence 
• socioeconomic factors 
• childhood environment 
• media influence 

consequences 

• Teenage births are associated with lower annual income for the mother. Eighty percent of teen mothers must rely on welfare at some point.
• Teenage mothers are more likely to drop out of school. Only about one-third of teen mothers obtain a high school diploma.
• Teenage pregnancies are associated with increased rates of alcohol abuse and substance abuse, lower educational level, and reduced earning potential in teen fathers.
• In the United States, the annual cost of teen pregnancies from lost tax revenues, public assistance, child health care, foster care and involvement with the criminal justice system is estimated to be about $7 billion.