Social representation of family in transformation: Fifty years in the familia crista magazine

Abstract

This article discusses the transformation process of the social representation of family related to Familia Crista magazine between 1962 and 2011. A lexical analysis was performed on 323 articles, which were selected among 100 editions. This study is based on the constructs of social influence, ideology, and social representation. Catholic Christian ideology underlies this magazine's discourse, however, the family representation is shaped by sociohistorical changes as well as influenced by different kinds of knowledge and institutions. Thereby, different meanings are produced: the patriarchal family as a selfless woman's responsibility; the families that are diverse and maintained through violence and misery; the educating family that must be subordinated to science; the Christian family that must follow the Church's rules and practices; and finally, the family in crisis due to their diverted path from religious values. Over time, the magazine has changed its discourse about family in order to maintain its power of influence and transmission of Catholic values.