Nova classe média em Juiz de Fora : estilo de vida, consumo e uso simbólico dos bens

Abstract

This research investigates the lifestyle, consumer habits and symbolic use of the goods of a new middle slice of Brazilian society identified as a new middle class, representing a universe of individuals who could ascend socially by increasing economic and cultural capital, from 2001 to 2014. Data collection is from 2013 to 2015. For this period traces the trajectory of life, symbolic moments and markers of social mobility, from the construction of self-image of the characters, stories, observation participatory and living with 11 families in the city of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais state. The study of the theoretical assumption that assets operate as social markers and constitute a language able to reveal and communicate the lifestyle of these families, despite the diversity of contemporary styles. Consumption is therefore indicator and visible part, visible from social mobility, which brought a lot of changes in lifestyle and in the way these actors deal with this new reality, the labor market, the family, school and in trade with the other classes.