Fiveable
Fiveable
AP Italian
Unit 1 Overview and Possible Essay Prompts: Families in Italy
1.1 Families in Different Societies
1.2 Housing and Immigration
1.3 Holidays and Leisure Time
1.4 Global Challenges

🇮🇹ap italian review

1.1 Families in Different Societies

Verified for the 2025 AP Italian exam•Last Updated on June 18, 2024

Unit 1 Overview

Unit 1 explores themes related to Italian-speaking families and communities. It also discusses the ideas of contemporary life, global challenges, and personal identity/characteristics.  

👨‍👩‍👦 Families are an essential part of society. As you study Italian communities, ask yourself a few questions regarding Italian families. Here are some guiding questions to help you get started:

  • What does a typical Italian family look like?
  • How do families influence values, beliefs, and traditions in Italian communities?
  • What are some challenges that f

Family Structures/Dynamic

In the past, the traditional Italian family consisted of a large home with many children, where the men worked and the women stayed home. But, the dynamic has significantly changed in Italy. The importance of the extended family and having a strong relationship with parents and grandparents still exists, but there are MAJOR changes:  

  • More women work outside of the home—families have more equal roles (alla pari)
  • Increase in the # of mixed families
  • A high number of families with only 1 or even 0 children
  • Decreased marriage rates, delays in weddings

Family is considered one of the most important aspects of life for many Italians and is central to the culture.

Men

Traditionally, the father or the head of the household in an Italian family is responsible for providing for the family financially. This may include working a full-time job, running a business, or managing family property or investments. The father is also often seen as the authority figure and decision-maker within the family. However, with the increasing participation of women in the workforce and changing societal norms, these traditional gender roles are becoming more flexible.

Women 👩🏾👧🏻👩🏻‍🎓👩🏼‍💻

In the past, women were seen as simply homemakers (le casalinge), but now more women work outside of the home. Similarly to the United States, the level of equity between men and women is increasing every year. There is still a divide between the two genders, but there is no denying the importance of women in Italian society:

  • "Soul" of the family—cook, clean, care for the children
  • Receive higher education and take high-paying jobs— the greater presence of women in the workforce- Help sustain families and themselves on a monetary level
  • Compassionate, kind, hard-working, helpful, incredible, powerful- Per esempio: Nel film "La Vita è Bella, la madre, Dora Orefice, è una donna ricca che decide di sposare un uomo ebreo in una classe sociale inferiore. sacrifica una grande casa, abiti eleganti e altro per una famiglia. poi, dato che il film si svolge durante la seconda guerra mondiale, sceglie di andare con suo figlio nel campo di concentramento nonostante non sia ebrea perché vuole proteggerlo dagli orrori della situazione

Grandparents 👵👴🏽

In Italy, the elderly tend to live closer to the city so that they can have greater access to healthcare (assistenza sanitaria) and other social benefits. They love to go out with their friends, often taking trips to the neighborhood church, movie theater, or local restaurant. One of the biggest differences between the role of grandparents in the USA and Italy is that in the states, families often put their elderly relatives in a nursing home (casa di riposo), but in Italy, the families take care of one another and the old live with their children.

  • Per esempio: Per contesto, dopo l'università, molti ragazzi scelgono di tornare a casa perché l'economia italiana è debole e vogliono risparmiare in cerca di lavoro. Anche i nonni vivono a casa e di conseguenza, sviluppano un rapporto molto forte con la famiglia

Strive for Five Vocab 🔑 🔑

  • Legame - bond
  • La casalinga - housewife
  • Monogenitoriali - single parent
  • Allargato/a - expanded
  • La famiglia patriarcale - patriarchal family
  • La famiglia alla pari - both parents have equal rights
  • L'anziono - elderly person
  • La famiglia nucleare - nuclear family
  • Condiviso/a - shared
  • Il divorzio - divorce
  • Il matrimonio - wedding
  • Occuparsi dei figli - to care for the children
  • Il badante - caregiver
  • Sacrificare - to sacrifice

Key Terms to Review (9)

Allargato/a: Allargato/a refers to the concept of 'expanded' or 'broadened' in Italian, often used to describe something that has been made larger or more inclusive. This term connects to various aspects of cultural and social discussions, emphasizing inclusivity, diversity, and the widening of perspectives or categories within different contexts.
Condiviso/a: The term 'condiviso/a' means 'shared' in Italian, and it often relates to ideas of collaboration, community, and mutual understanding. This concept emphasizes the importance of joint experiences and resources in various contexts, such as personal relationships, social interactions, and collective endeavors. In a broader sense, 'condiviso/a' reflects the value placed on shared responsibilities and inclusivity within different spheres of life.
Familismo: Familismo is a cultural value that emphasizes the importance of family loyalty, support, and interconnectedness within communities. It highlights the significance of familial relationships in shaping identity and social structures, often prioritizing family needs over individual desires and fostering a strong sense of belonging among family members.
La casalinga: La casalinga refers to a traditional role in Italian culture, describing a housewife or homemaker responsible for managing the household and caring for the family. This term highlights the significance of domestic duties and the societal expectations surrounding women's roles in Italy, particularly in the context of family life and community values.
La famiglia patriarcale: La famiglia patriarcale refers to a family structure where the father is the head of the household and holds authority over the family members, especially women and children. This traditional model emphasizes male dominance in familial roles, decision-making, and inheritance, reflecting societal norms that prioritize patriarchal values.
La famiglia nucleare: La famiglia nucleare refers to the family structure consisting of two parents and their children living together as a single unit. This model is commonly seen as the traditional family setup in many cultures, and it plays a vital role in socialization and emotional support, influencing individual identity and societal values.
L'anziano: L'anziano refers to an elderly person or senior citizen in Italian. This term often embodies the wisdom, experience, and respect associated with age, highlighting the cultural importance of elders in society. In various contexts, l'anziano plays a critical role in family structures, social interactions, and community dynamics.
Monogenitoriali: Monogenitoriali refers to family structures in which a child is raised by a single parent or guardian, often due to various social or economic circumstances. This term highlights the dynamics of single-parent households, which have become increasingly common in contemporary society. Understanding monogenitoriali is essential to analyze the changing definitions of family and the implications these structures have on child development and societal norms.
Occuparsi dei figli: Occuparsi dei figli refers to the act of caring for and raising children, which encompasses a wide range of responsibilities including nurturing, educating, and providing emotional support. This term highlights the importance of parental involvement and the role that caregivers play in the development and well-being of children. Understanding how to effectively occuparsi dei figli is crucial in discussing family dynamics, societal expectations, and the impacts of parenting styles on child development.
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1.2 Housing and Immigration