Canavarro, MCAraújo-Pedrosa, A2013-07-032013-07-032012Saúde Reprodutiva, Sexualidade e Sociedade. 2012; 1(2):35-55http://hdl.handle.net/10400.4/1576Empirical research grounded on ecological perspectives challenge the view of adolescent motherhood has necessarily having deleterious consequences to the later development of young mothers and their offspring; nonetheless it is still irrefutable that the occurrence of an early pregnancy may amplify previous vulnerabilities, making it more difficult for the adolescent mother and her child to develop along a favorable path. The present work reviews some of the current theoretical perspectives on this subject, looking to highlight the importance of understanding not only individual or family variables of the young girls who get pregnant, but also relational, social, cultural, legal and political contexts in which they develop. Knowledge of these multiple dimensions and of their complex interactions is crucial to design more specific and effective preventive interventions.porGravidez na AdolescênciaParentalidade