Paper short abstract:

This paper intends to show results of a research carried out among middle class families in São Paulo (Brazil)about the meaning of the home. It is based on a study about the relationship between the family members and the objects that fill up the space of the houses.

Paper long abstract:

This paper intends to show some results of my research carried out among middle class families in São Paulo (Brazil) about the meaning of the home. It is based on a study about the relationship between the family members and the objects that fill up the space. In all houses, not only the parents were interviewed but also sons and daughters over sixteen years old. It was my concern to analyze different opinions existing in all houses visited. It was assumed that objects "talks", in other words, they express all sort of relationship the dwellers maintain among themselves. Therefore, to analyze the way the objects are placed in a determinate space, help us to understand the interactions through the way the objects are displayed or not. Through the study of the interaction between the individuals and the objects it was possible trace a more deeper comprehension about the objects and their respective roles for the families: the local they are placed, how long and how they were exposed give details about the hierarchy of power among the members of a determinate family and how the family's project are dealt.