Week 9 - Family Structure

1. Describe the typical family:

Families are very important to Italians. People in modern Italy marry less frequently and at an older age than in the past, they also have fewer children, and divorce more often. Women get married at age twenty-seven, on average, and men at almost thirty.

Maria Russo: 70, grandmother - Antonio Lombardi: 73, grandfather

Raffaele Costa: 38, restaurant owner - Clarice Lombardi: 31, housewife

Francesco Costa: 5, stays at home

Simone Lombardi: 42, lawyer - Beatrice Moretti: 36, teacher

Giovanna Lombardi: 9, goes to school

2. What is the role of each family member within the family unit?

The father is always the head of the family, while the mom is the queen. The father typically goes to work and makes the money for the family, they contribute very little to housework and childcare. The mother runs every aspect of domestic life and in modern Italy, a lot of young women also work outside of their homes. Grandparents often help watch the children of working moms and often live in their children's homes. The elderly are respected and looked after whether they live with their children or independently. Aunts and uncles also play a big part in the children's lives as well. When children grow up, they live in the house with their parents until they get married. Children are asked to do very little housework, boys are asked and expected to do less housework, have more freedom, and are less controlled by parents than are girls.

3. List some key differences between Italy's family structure and expectations and the “typical” American family. Why do you think these differences exist?

The main difference is that in Italy, the percentage of children living with their parents is much higher than in the United States. 85% of Italian men aged 18 to 33 live at home with their parents, while only 35% of American men of the same age live with their parents. Even after sons get married they remain very close to their mothers, often near their homes or they call each other frequently.

4. How does your target country view alternative family units? And why?

Italy is facing an increase in divorce rates, but whether married, single, or divorced, all Italians tend to maintain very strong links with their parents, adult children, and other relatives. Italy does not recognize any type of same-sex unions or marriages. Adoptions in Italian families is also increasing as the fertility rates continue to drop.

5. What kinds of problems related to family currently exist in your target country? What are the causes? How does the community cope with the problems? Is there any social assistance available?

One big problem is the family size in Italy. Italians used to be known for having large families, however Italy is now known for having Europe's lowest birthrate. Today the birth rate has dropped to 1.2 births. This means the population is not growing and the elders are becoming the larger proportion of the population. Even one regional government has offered financial help and funding to encourage families to have more children. The average Italian family today has 1.27 children.