The family in today’s society. The experience of the Venezuelan middle class

The present study investigates how the Venezuelan middle class understands the family, and identifies the origin of meanings shared among family members. Individual interviews were conducted with members of five middle class families. In telling of their family experiences, and their relationship with the public sphere, interviewees intertwined the narrative of their life with that of other family members. They intimately connected their lifestyles to the customs and traditions of their childhood and their current family. This study shows that people try to adapt family life to current contingencies, without compromising their convictions and principles. This will guarantee the family's stable survival over time.Keywords: family and society, middle class families, family life, meanings.