Family Values In The Italian American And African American Family

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The two ethnic groups that the writer decided to observe are Italians and African- Americans’ families. In African-American families, the mother sometimes plays the role of the father and thus functions as the head of the family. This was the case of the family the writer observed. In addition, older children sometimes function as parents or caretakers for younger children. The concept of role flexibility among African-American families can be extended to include the parental role assumed by grandfather, grandmother, aunts, and cousins (Boyd-Franklin, 1989). On the contrary, in the Italian American culture, family values are the focus of Italian society and the Italian family has remained a very close social unit. Whether married, single, …show more content…

The moms were housewives and homemakers who took care of the family. The husbands were the men of the houses who did hard labor to support the family. Women did the domestic work and the men did the dirty work. In some families these customs have not changed. Dads continue to be the breadwinner while the moms baked the bread. African-Americans and Italian Americans tend to have big families. Each and every member have an intense bond with one another and endures a strong love for everyone. Family is very important in these households. One day out of each week is always designated for the entire family. Everyone comes together just to have one huge supper. These suppers are usually at the matriarch’s house. The matriarchs are central when it comes to a household. She is the one who keeps everyone together in both these …show more content…

It is what makes them who they are. Food is part of their traditions. In everything they do it will always feature food. The older women are always the proud cooks who love to cook, and do not mind cooking. Good home meals are the answers to any and every thing in these families. Food solves all kinds of problems as long as it is always good food. Faith Faith is one of the last and most important things that Italian and African-Americans have in common. Italian Americans mainly practice the Catholic religion and the African-Americans mainly practice the Christian religion. Even though these are two different religions, they depict generally the same principles. Christians and Catholics have an immense faith in the Father and the Son. Both of these religions are the same. Italian and African-Americans each keep very strong religious beliefs. The only difference is that the Italians have Mass, confessionals, and the Pope. Other than that they both share the same God. Religion is universal in for them. It is part of what gives them such solid family values. A family that prays together, stays together is what they live by.

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