In a cross-sectional study, Rhodes et al. (1994) interviewed 54 Latino adolescent mothers of low socio-economic status about the effect the presence or absence of a "natural mentor" had on their lives. Natural mentors were defined as an older, more experienced adult who has taken a special interest in the adolescent's decisions and well-being. Data from participants described particularly stable relationships; almost half of the sample had known their natural mentor for at least 15 years, and over three-quarters expected to maintain the relationship indefinitely. Youth relationships with natural mentors, however, may be significantly more stable than relationships with assigned mentors who are not part of the youth's social circle and who often originate from a different socio-cultural milieu (Rhodes & Davis, 1996).