This study aims at understanding at how the family represents its structure when woman is the principal responsible for the economic home support. A Case Study (Stake, 2000) with three families was performed with families consisting of a couple with a minimum of one child. As for data collection, the FAST (Family System Test) and Family Design was applied. The results showed that women represent their families following a classical model, while men carry their figure in an idealized form. Family economic condition is essential for the well-being. The maintenance of subsistence seems to be more important in these cases than the determination of who provides the support.
family structure; gender; woman work force