This article summarizes the initial findings of a multidisciplinary st
udy aimed at understanding the complex social, economic, cultural and
psychological contexts of unwanted and adolescent pregnancy in Nicarag
ua. The results come from in-depth and focus group interviews with 29
adolescent and young women and men. Exposure to the risk of becoming p
regnant appears voluntary at first glance, but the interviews reveal h
ow economic deprivation, material dependency, and distributed family r
elations with an unappeased craving for affection influence this behav
iour. The ''Virgin Mary syndrome''-belief in the pure mother-and machi
smo also contribute greatly. Actual real access to contraceptives appe
ars to be limited less by pure ignorance than by negative attitudes am
ong potential providers and other key persons in society, especially a
s regards adolescents' contraceptive use. Lack of political will. reli
gious influence, romanticism and lack of empowerment, especially among
adolescent women, are also influencing elements. Copyright (C) 1997 E
lsevier Science Ltd