Attitudes of an Italian Family: Mammonis

As I began reading about the customs and traditions of my heritage, I realized that I am not alone in my impressions of family structure for most Italians. Although Italy is a modern country where new and old ways of life coexist and seemingly complement each other, it is very much evident that “la famiglia e sacra – the family is sacred”. The feelings of love and loyalty that connect family members are very strong. The family gets together to share all occasions of joy and pain and remains a great source of comfort and support for all members of the family nucleus. To be a part of a good family is of the utmost importance for cultural, social, practical, and economic reasons. Then why, I questioned, is there is a definite decrease in population. What is happening to the tradition of love, support and importance put on family life?
Attitudes toward family life and sex seem to be changing. Before the era of the divorce, in the early 1970’s, a fair number of Italians ente...