Title not available in English.

Abstract

This paper discusses the range and limits of some concepts of the family, related to theoretical perspectives and to possibilities of an empirical approach to this social group. It argues that in recent studies of the family one can find the symbolic outlook of Anthropology on the one hand, which deepens the analysis of dynamics of family relationships, but is limited to strict segments of society. On the other hand, one can find Demography and Sociology surveys, capable of framing broad portraits which, although liable to generalization, are static and limited to family relations whithin the household. As an example of possible methodology, the paper describes the proceedings and results of the study Family structure and daily life in the city of São Paulo, in which the author assembles some of the commented approaches, trying to overcome their limitations.