Adolescent pregnancies and social representations (León, Guanajuato, Mexico, 2016-2017)

Abstract

number of authors have tried to explain the intentionality of pregnancy from different theoretical frameworks, however the cultural context is not always considered, and as a result conceptual and methodological complications persist. This study aims to identify the social representations that adolescents in León, Guanajuato construct in relation to their unwanted and unplanned pregnancies. This study is based on the theoretical approach of social representations and uses associative techniques derived from cognitive anthropology, specifically free listings and peer comparison. 72 women aged 15 to 19 participated. The social representations of unplanned pregnancy focused on negative economic and emotional aspects. Social representations of unwanted pregnancies were associated with negative emotional aspects (feelings of anger and guilt towards the situation), and abortion was considered as a solution.