According to the CDC, in 2011, a total of 329,797 children were born to women between the ages of 15 and 19 ("Teen Pregnancy Information"). Why do these young women and teenagers get pregnant so early? What are some of the consequences of teen pregnancy? There are many, but in this article we will look at some of the individual causes and effects and not the cause and effect on society as a whole. The first cause of any pregnancy is unprotected sex. What might motivate a teenager to have sex if he or she is physically or emotionally unprepared or not ready? Peer pressure, trying to look cool and fitting in with friends is enough to cause many teenagers to become sexually active. The media also glamorizes teenage pregnancy. In today's society, they have teen moms on the news, movies and television shows. With the teen mom in the spotlight, it's no longer shameful for a girl to get pregnant in high school. In fact, having sex as a teenager today seems to have become acceptable and meaningless. Absent parents may lead a teenager to engage in early sexual activity. Parents who are physically or...