<P> The Secret Life of the American Teenager is a television series created by Brenda Hampton . It first premiered on ABC Family on July 1, 2008 and ran until June 3, 2013 . The show features a regular cast of characters, which began with eleven people in its first season . Since then, characters have left the show, with new main characters having both been written in and out of the series . In addition, Secret Life features multiple guest stars each week, some having larger roles than others . </P> <P> The plot focuses on the character of Amy Juergens after becoming accidentally pregnant at band camp . It explores how the pregnancy affects her, her peers, and her family . After her sister starts high school, Amy finds how virtually everyone at school carries a secret or an unexpected problem . Amy is the mother of John Juergens . </P> <P> Portrayed by Shailene Woodley, Amy gets pregnant after a one - night stand at band camp before her freshman year of high school . At the beginning of the series, she is 15 years old . Upon entering high school, Amy begins a relationship with Ben Boykewich (also 15), a supportive classmate with whom she falls in love . She confesses her pregnancy to her two best friends, Madison and Lauren, who are fake because they spread the rumor that Amy had sex with Ricky . During this time, Amy's 13 - year - old sister Ashley discovers her pregnancy due to Amy's recent weight gain and erratic behavior, but promises to keep her secret from their parents . Ben proposes to Amy after finding out, because he genuinely loves her, and feels he would be a better father than Ricky due to his family's financial stability . After Amy tells her parents, she contemplates having an abortion, as she is afraid of her peers' perceptions . She changes her mind, but is still adamant about not returning to school . Ricky reaches out to Amy during this time, saying that he wants to be involved with what happens to the baby . Amy plans to go live with her grandmother Mimsy, but is unable to go after discovering that Mimsy is suffering from Alzheimer's disease, and is moving into assisted care living . Amy returns to school, but is uncomfortable with being known as "the pregnant girl". </P> <P> Halfway through her pregnancy, Amy's mother Anne informs her that in order to keep the baby, she will have to find a job and daycare . Anne intends to get a job to replace the loss of her husband George's income as they prepare for divorce . Amy is surprised, since she assumed that her mother would stay home and look after the baby, as she had with her daughters . As a result, Amy and Ben get married using fake IDs, but they learn afterwards that the marriage was void since they were both underage . Amy then decides on adoption, and discovers that her father's longtime employee Donovan and his husband Leon want to adopt the baby . The adoption fails due to Ricky's interference, and she ultimately decides to keep the baby due to the love and support of her family and friends . </P>

Who plays amy in the secret life of the american teenager