This study has meant to describe the level of freedom of action and of choice the mothers allow their children to have on their daily activities. Data was obtained by the analysis of the answers 110 mothers gave to 15 questions from the Biasoli-Alves & Graminha Reestructured Guide (1979), which investigate the conditions offered to the child in terms of physical space, delimitation of activities, use of home, TV set, play and toys. The results show that the mothers try to give freedom to their children in a similar pattern to the one the psychological literature suggests, as well as they set up restrictions, in a pattern of constant watchful care over the child.
