Changes in the country have impacted the traditions of the family. The families continue to pray for the dead, to have priests say mass for the dead, and to practice voodoo. The families traditionally told stories, told riddles, and sang songs. This is being replaced by playing cards, dominos, and listening to radios. Other changes are taking place: listening to jazz, magic, using tomato paste and bouillon cubes in cooking, and eating vegetables. The people miss some old traditions such as sharing meat when an animal was butchered or even having parents look for a husband or wife for their children. There is the feeling that life was better in the past.

There are three major events in the life of the family: presentation of a child or baptism, marriage, and death. An additional major event for families is first communion for children entering into the Catholic Church. Each of these major event is influenced by the church and state, which influence how, when, where, and who has authority over these events.

There is one special holiday for the family, the first of January. This is Haitian Independence Day and a day for giving. Those who can repair and paint their houses in preparation for this day do so. Special drinks, home brewed from fruits and mixed with distilled rum, and jams are served to guests. Pumpkin soup is the meal of the day. Neighbors visit each other and it is a happy time. Some people do use the occasion to drink until drunk.

The family believes news to be true based on the word of several witnesses or based on how well the person explains an event. Rumors and gossip are constantly impacting the family. News is passed by word of mouth and more recently by radio. Radio gives those wanting a forum for their news, rumors, or gossip a wider listening audience. This is particularly evident with the rural people's radio stations funded by the United Nations. Anything can be said without consequence to the speaker. True or not true, everyone has an opportunity to say what is on his mind.