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The larger autonomy provided by the transition to college may favor the performance of sexual risk behavior in young people. This study evaluated college students’ opinions on contraception and their impact on self-reported sexual behavior. Sexually active young students (253) answered a questionnaire on sociodemographic and sexual behavior data and a scale on contraceptive opinions. Use of contraceptives was reported by 95% of participants, but only 22% claimed consistent condom use, suggesting that unintended pregnancies were the main concern. Inconsistent condom use was associated with negative opinions regarding its impact on sexual intercourse. Amongst women, condom use was associated with opinions of higher assertiveness in the negotiation of contraceptive methods. Men were less favorable of the idea of discussing contraceptive methods as a couple. Contraception support interventions must take into account the different barriers that affect men’s and women’s contraceptive behaviors.

En este estudio se investigó cómo los adolescentes con experiencia de embarazo evaluaron el apoyo que recibieron de su familia, en comparación con un grupo de adolescentes que no había pasado por esta experiencia. Participaron 452 adolescentes de ambos sexos, con edades entre 14 y 19 años y nivel socioeconómico bajo. Los resultados señalan que, proporcionalmente, más mujeres (64.2%) que hombres (35.8%) relataron haber tenido experiencia de embarazo, ?2 (2, n = 2617) = 48.32, p < .001. Además, se observó que el grupo con experiencia de embarazo, comparado con el grupo sin experiencia, reveló mayor percepción de seguridad en las relaciones familiares, t (408) = -3.0, p < .01; de respeto mutuo entre los miembros de la familia, t (392) = -2.3, p < .05; y que recibieron apoyo general más fuerte de su familia, t (397) = -1.3, p < .05. Estos resultados son discutidos en este texto. Neste estudo se pesquisou como os adolescentes com experiência de gravidez avaliaram o apoio que receberam de sua família, em comparação com um grupo de adolescentes que não tinha passado por esta experiência. Participaram 452 adolescentes de ambos os gêneros, com idades entre 14 e 19 anos, e nível socioeconômico baixo. Os resultados assinalam que, proporcionalmente, mais mulheres (64,2 %) que homens (35,8 %) relataram ter tido experiência de gravidez, ?2 (2, n = 2617) = 48,32, p < 0,001. Além disso, observou-se que o grupo com experiência de gravidez, comparado com o grupo sem experiência, revelou maior percepção de segurança nas relações familiares t (408) = -3,0, p < 0,01; de respeito mutuo entre os membros da família, t (392) = -2,3, p < 0,05; e que receberam apoio geral mais forte de sua família, t (397) = -1,3, p < 0,05. Estes resultados são discutidos neste texto. The present paper aimed to investigate how adolescents with pregnancy experience evaluate received support from their families in comparison with an adolescent group without pregnancy experience. 452 low income adolescents, both sex, aged 14 to 19 years old answered to a questionnaire. The results revealed that more girls (64.2 %) than boys (35.8 %) declared pregnancy experience, ?2 (2, n = 2617) = 48.32, p < .001. Moreover, it was observed that the group with pregnancy experience, in comparison with other group, revealed more perception on the family relationships safety, t (408) = -3.0, p < .01; mutual respect among family members in their homes, t (392) = -2.3, p < .05; and received stronger general support from their family, t (397) = -1,3, p < .05. These results are discussed.