In this paper I closely examine spontaneous interactions between members of a tri-generation Italian American family. I argue that members show different language preferences and differing attitudes towards the family's multilingual identity but that they all demonstrate a degree of "engagement" with the heritage language. Phenomena that…

This article reports the authors' collaborative research on teacher identity as revealed by examining paths to teaching. When individuals enter the teaching profession, they appear to be making a personal career choice. Beginning educators look ahead, envisioning the teachers they hope to become. At this time it is rare to look backward, to…

This book is a study of the assimilation process as it applies to Italian Americans. Chapters One and Two provide a contextual framework for the study by discussing the theoretical paradigms that have been advanced to describe ethnic behaviors or the assimilation experience and by reviewing pre-immigration and early immigration experiences of…

Examined role expectations and realities among Italian-American, single, older women and their daughters. Found the quality of the relationships quite high. Results showed high consensus for the expectations and realities. A greater number of specific resources were expected and received of daughters. (Author)

This study compares the representation in "Who's Who in America" of six groups: Blacks, Slavs, Jews, the English, and Scandinavians. Changes in the representation level of each group during the period 1924-1974 are examined. (Author/MC)

Participant observation and author introspection were used to collect data in this study of nonverbal communication among Italian Americans in three large American cities. Discussion is given to kinesics (gestures and signs), haptics (touch), proxemics (interiors of homes, exteriors of homes, and spatial arrangements at a wedding dinner), and…

Reports the results of a longitudinal textbook study designed to assess the level of treatment given Irish, Italian, Jewish, and Polish Americans in selected United States history textbooks. Results show that coverage briefly increased in the "multicultural period" (from 1977 to 1978) but has significantly decreased in recent years. (JDH)

This research project on the Italian-American family examines the differential role of the mother and father in the transmission of ethnic identity to the children. Ethnicity is conceptualized here, in part, as a system of rules or norms which define acceptable behavior and which distinguishes one's own kind from others. One of the most prominent…

This study was undertaken to determine the ethnic and racial composition of corporations in Detroit, Michigan. The extent to which members of the Polish, Italian, Black, and Latino communities have penetrated the centers of power and influence in Detroit-based corporations was investigated. These groups comprise 33.8% of the Metropolitan Detroit…

Differences in sex role concepts of 360 Black, Italian, and Jewish children (ages 10 through 17) from middle and working class families were examined through a modified version of the Sex Role Questionnaire, yielding descriptions of the self and the male and female stereotypes on both competence and expressive dimensions. (Author/GC)

Proposes a model of ethnic behavior that describes group behavior as constrained by the following aspects of social structure: demographic opportunity, economic opportunity, and cultural heritage. Tests the model by comparing the single ancestry rates of the following ethnic groups: Italian, Polish, Slovak, and Hungarian. (Author/BJV)

Studied kinship in Italian-American families with an emphasis on the sibling relationship. Focused interviews were conducted with 74 Italian-American homogeneous marriages, 98 inter-marriages, and 56 Protestants of European background. Found intermarried families more involved in kinship activities with the greatest differences between groups…

Presents data about two St. Louis neighborhoods, one Italian and one Black, to support the theory that forces in the larger society (such as social discrimination and the availability of housing and jobs) are critical determinants of ethnic solidarity or dispersion over time. (MK)

A study examined the relationship between language experiences of Italo-Canadian students at home and school and their perceptions of group vitality and ethnic language maintenance. Subjects were in grade eight integrated and non-integrated heritage language programs. (58 references) (Author/MSE)

An exploratory research study was undertaken to determine the extent of drug abuse in three ethnic neighborhoods. The nature and scope of drug use among Italian and Polish Americans in three working class neighborhoods were examined in the light of the role class and cultural identity plays in the development and treatment of drug abuse. Results…