Italians follow a traditional role in the home where the man is the financial provider and the woman the homemaker. Even if a woman is called to a career she does not give up her role of homemaker out of pride and tradition. Maybe this is a throwback to the early America’s when there was  a greater European influence but changes came about by the 1950’s, as the quest for material things created a two worker household at the sacrifice of family. The rate of divorce is higher in America and can probably be traced back to the culture of materialism. There is a trend now where career woman are going back to traditional roles in the home even though television continues the stereo-type that every woman has to be a career woman to have happiness.

The Italian family unit is strong and close and is the essence of the Italian culture. Women play an important role in the family and do not practice rebellious American ways, because they have a European prospective of life. They enjoy being both a homemaker and worker outside the home. In some ways, women have always been more powerful in Italy than they are in the U.S.A. but in a discreet way. Women rule the household and allow their men to be leader. Italian women understand their role in a marriage and let men play their part. A new marriage enhancement book supporting this old Biblical concept forgotten by the new age woman has been in the news. Most American divorces occur over money issues and money control. Approximately 50% of all women in Italy work outside their home which I believe is higher than in the U.S. Women attend university with about the same frequency as men. And, women are found in all the professions and state entities.                                                                                                                                       

Here is the view of an Italian single man about the difference, in general, between Italian woman and American woman. The following was copied from an internet Forum about dating. “Also, generally Italian women wait longer to become intimate with their partner, many even until after marriage. It all depends on the individuals though. Last, but probably most important, is that one negative stereo-type many Italians have towards American women. They think that most American women are lazy and don't want to be a homemaker. They picture American women just ordering pizza or fast food for their families, because they don't want to cook or wash dishes. You have to remember that Italian men were raised by mothers who are magicians in the kitchen, so the thought of consuming junk food every other day is scary to many Italian men!”                   

What does it say about our American family life? This stereotype is not applied to all Americans, but if you watch television you would think it is true. Is this the result of a lost generation whose parents did not care to pass on their traditions or were too busy handling a career. The busy productive American way of life gave way over our parents traditions as illustrated by an article written by Greg Knight, titled, The Suburbanization of America.                                                              

In Italy, family traditions, home cooking, a slower enjoyable and social lifestyle was not lost and even today is part of the Italian personality and soul. The media only portrays Italians in crime shows, never the richness of their family life. The typical American family worker goes to work and comes home and superficially knows their neighbor. They enjoy nesting in a self absorbed way.                                                                         

One of the best ways to preserve our heritage and culture is through learning to prepare our traditional Sicilian cooking and hosting dinner parties to socialize for hours in European style. The wonderful food that we grew up with and experienced on Holidays. If you grew up as a child in an Italian home, the food of your parents is part of your soul. When you recreate these wonderful recipe’s its more than just eating to survive, it brings back your childhood memory. If you didn’t experience this, then start a tradition now for your own family and purchase a Sicilian Cook Book or research free recipes online.

Culture is an accomplishment for noblewoman and man alike, used to charm others as much as to develop the self.

We hope to explore and compare Italian and American culture to have a better understanding of our heritage and Italian family traditions.

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