Many teens don't realize how much money it actually costs to raise a child. And in many cases, teenage parents don't finish school or are still in school, which, realistically, can't find a well-paying job. Studies have shown that just the first year of raising a child costs between $10,000 and 12,500, and as the child grows the expenses only increase each year. The amount of money a child needs does not equal the minimum wage that teenagers are able to earn. Financial strain can affect both the child and the teen parent. The child may be deprived and the mother may not be able to provide the resources to raise a healthy child and feed herself. Along with emotional stress, financial problems are another major factor driving teen parents to drop out of high school. The financial aspect of the issue often forces teenagers to leave school to look for work and find a source of income. For teens who are fortunate enough to have parental support, this can also put a strain on parents' finances. The general problem of teen pregnancy can cause major financial problems for everyone, including parents of teens, teen parents themselves, and even