The dissertation Child work: analysis of perception of involved families and children, proposes to analyse the significance of this type of work in the daily reality of involved children, adolescents and families. This work gathers the results of a qualitative research with a group of mothers and children who carry out labor activities identified as precocious work. The study had as a starting point the present configuration of child work in Brazil and in the state of Rio de Janeiro, based on statistic data, however, its emphasis relies on the symbolic and cultural aspects of this phenomenom. The research had as empiric reference, the municipality of Itaguaí in the state of Rio de Janeiro, particularly, a specific segment of the population made up of riverside, and rural and urban settled families who face situations of social vulnerability.