This paper reports on research carried out in Mexico City in 1995-1996 on the meaning of motherhood, contraception, an unwanted pregnancy or child, and the experience of illegal, clandestine abortion, as described by 12 women of different ages, class, education and marital status who had one or more clandestine abortions. A priest, two doctors from the public health system, a group of gynaecologists and nurses and a health social worker were also interviewed. The data show that it is the illegal and clandestine nature of abortion that has a negative effect on women in Mexico. Although terminating a pregnancy can also be a difficult experience in itself, it became traumatic for most (though not all) of the women interviewed due to the dominant Catholic church doctrine that abortion is a sin, and because of the criminal law punishing those who have abortions, which forces women to have the procedure in high risk conditions, all of which adversely affected their mental and physical health. In spite of this, all the women considered abortion a personal decision that they had to make. Even those who believed that termination of pregnancy was the transgression of a divine commandment also believed that it was a rightful and necessary decision, given their circumstances. Ó

Traditional Catholicprescriptions on sexuality are being transformed by the processes of secularisation and modern@ takingplace in Mern'co, especiallyin urban areas, and affecting personal sexual experiences. Thispaper discusses the complex2y of the relationship between competing discourses of sexualityin present Mexican culture and argues that Mexican sexual cultures are hybrid in nature. Drawing from group discussions and individual dialogues with 23 men and women aged 15-30, from both rural and urban communities in three parts of the country, this paper illustrates youngpeople's dilemmas in giviugmeaning to their experience of sexual desire and activityin the face of religious morality, scientific discourses and gender-related cultural norms. This situation has offered women an opportunity to develop a sense of entitlement and youngmen to question dominant masculine images, to make autonomous decisions about their bodies and their sexuality, and to form more equal and meaningfirl relationshrps. However, improving the material conditions oflife, particularly in rural areas, is stil1 needed to reduce constraints on the ability of youngpeople to make choices when they act upon their sexual desires and feelings.

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Virginidad e iniciación sexual en la sobrevivencia de saberes sexuales subyugados frente a la modernidad