Family Studies

Brazilians live their lives closely connected to their families, including their extended families. This network provides emotional, social, and practical support; key decisions are made with the family in mind. Homes often are multigenerational (with exceptions often due to migration to large cities, especially from the northeast to São Paulo).

On average, Brazilians marry at a younger age, although trends vary according to socio-economic status. For university-educated Brazilians, the age of marriage is delayed as is having children. Marriage and having children remain important life goals for most individuals. Young adults often remain in their parents’ home until marriage or cohabitation, increasingly due to economic rather than social reasons. Brazil has seen an increase in divorce, although it is not at the rate of most industrialized nations. Divorce was legalized in 1979.

Children are highly valued and thoroughly participate in family life. Parents take children to social events. Hallmarks of Brazilian parenting are warmth and affection, rather than authority or strict discipline. Grandparents, aunts and uncles are important figures in the lives of children.

The projection of children’s lives depends upon their social class. Born into middle to upper middle class, children are assured of attending a good public or a private school in preparation for the daunting college entrance examination. A high score results in entrance to a public university where tuition is paid for by the government. Without the necessary scores on the exam (called a vestibular) a student (or usually her or his family) pays tuition to a private university. Lack of student loans means that families must have the money to pay for tuition upfront, thus limiting the number of Brazilians who can benefit from higher education. Born into a poor family, children often will work from a young age while also attending school.

Older family members are most likely cared for by family. Brazilians respect and care deeply for their aging parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

Brazilians are friendly; however, only close friends are brought into the family circle.
For more information on family life and customs and etiquette in Brazil, please see Volker Poelzl’s Culture Shock! A Guide to Customs and Etiquette: Brazil (Graphic Arts Center Publishing Company, Portland, Oregon).