Although promiscuity was suspected to be a major cause of unwanted pregnancy and 

subsequent abortion, this hypothesis was not validated by the accounts of these participants. A 

third of the girls reported having relatively few partners (one or two) and long term relationships 

lasting between 4 and 10 years. First boyfriends were usually close to the girls' age or were 5 to 

12 years older. Sometimes, these early relationships led to long term child rearing unions.

21