This qualitative and phenomenological study sought to better understand what it is to be a family-member/caregiver of a child with AIDS, according to Martin Buber's philosophy. The participants in the study were 7 women, chosen by an intentional selection criterion from a university hospital in Porte Alegre - RS, Brazil. The phenomenological interviews with participants were carried out between September and October of 2006, and hermeneutic philosophy was applied for data interpretation. According to data analysis, five units of significance emerged. Being a family member of a child with AIDS reveals a complex existential phenomenon of changes, care, dialogues, and concerns in search of being-better of both in the world. We understand that this care is also a complex phenomenon, part of the existentialism of women and the family community. In conclusion, we believe that valuing the inter-human relationship between I-YOU, and the existential dialogue to humanistic caring is possible.
Nursing; Women's health; Acquired immunedeficiency syndrome; Family