Abstract
The study authors collaborated equally on the research and writing of this project. The project is a qualitative study using a convenience sample of adult women from two prenatal facility support groups, located in a low-income community. The researchers used a focus group session format for the exploration of female attitudes toward dating and relationships. A total of 15 racially diverse women participated in the groups, with each focus group lasting 1 hour. Two prominent findings emerged from the focus group discussions. First, parent ideas as well as parental modeling shaped the perceptions of ideal partners for the women. Secondly, gender roles for pregnant women were less rigid and more complex than the researchers had anticipated.