34 • Cultura de los Cuidados ANTROPOLOGÍA Running head: PREVENTION Of PREGNANCY AMONG THE HISPANIC The Social and Cultural Contexts of Pregnancy: A study of Hispanic Teenagers one School in the US

The purpose of this study was to explore the sociocultural contexts of teenage pregnancy among Hispanic students in an urban voca-tional high school. Qualitative data through inter-view was drawn from a group of fourteen students, both males and females who are between the ages of 13-18 years. Guiding questions used for inter-view focused on informant's perceptions and expectations regarding gender roles, dating and parenting as well as family valúes and expectations on these variables. Findings indicated the strong influence of indi-genous valué orientations on teenager's percep-tions and expectations of themselves and their peers. Early sexual activity was an associated expectation of dating and heterosexual relations-hips. Gender roles and dating expectations were consistent between parents and teenagers. Informants showed awareness of difficulties invol-ved with teenage parenting through personal expe-riences and stories related by others. Results from the study guided the recommen-dations for the development of the pregnancy pre-vention program targeting Hispanic teens in the school. Study limitations include the small sample size and limited generalization of findings to this group of teenagers