Cultural Group

Media Presentation
Carolyn Frasier

Additional Assumptions

Speak with gestures

Soprano T.V. show
Loud
Fashionable
Romantic

Introduction to the Italian

Culture
Demographics:
Wisconsin=172,567 3.2%
Dane County=4,224
Milwaukee County=37,175
Waukesha County=21,027

Minnesota=111,270 2.3%

Anoka County=7,583
Dakota County=10,945
Hennepin County=26,827

(The National Italian American Foundation: 2000 Census)

Summary of the Movie Moonstruck

A young widow, Loretta, is engaged to marry a man
she does not love, and unintentionally finds true
romance with his brother. This movie captures the
resilience of an Italian-American family in Brooklyn,
New York. This clip shows the importance and
complexity of family.
Today, I will focus on the character of Loretta;
growing up female in the Italian-American family.
As you watch pay attention to the dynamic of the
family.

Accuracy of Movie
Negative stereotypes usually portray ItalianAmerican women in the media.
In Moonstruck the representation of Italian life
is more positive than other movies. The
women are seen as strong, complex, and
magnetic.
Italian-American women cannot be
stereotyped into one category for they are
unique, strong and independent women.

The Italian-American Family

Cultural Values

In this clip we saw a big connection to the family, la famiglia.

Italians view the love for family as a sacred institution.
There is a strong sense of duty to family.
The family is matriarchal at its core. The mother typically runs
every aspect of domestic life. You may see her helping family in
ways you consider excessive.
The Italian-American parents primary goals are to raise a healthy
family with good, decent morals. Boys and girls are treated
differently. Daughters are not allowed the same freedoms as
sons.
Parents encourage children to do well in school.
Often generations share housing.

The Italian-American Daughter

Has strong ties to her family. Loyalties lie, first and
foremost with her family.
Challenged by American and Italian traditions and
standards, she strives to become an individual.
She assimilates into American society, but her Italian
heritage will take precedence.
Strives to find her own identity and goals beyond the
traditional Italian expectations.
Her need for independence may cause conflict with
parents.
Feels torn between two cultures. Is she American? Is
she Italian?

Acculturation/Assimilation
In the movie we see Loretta staying mostly
with Italians. She works for Italians. She lives
with her family. The man she is to marry is
Italian.
In real life, Italian-Americans will assimilate
into the American culture more.

Counselor cultural considerations

Need to take into consideration her connectedness to family.

Growing up she may feel torn between her parents culture and
America.
Realize she sets her standards by getting good grades, participating
in social activities, and developing her own identity.
What she knows is combined by the two worlds. Although she is
taught the traditional chores such as cooking, cleaning, etc, she gains
a new perspective in the American school system.
It is not easy to separate from her parents culture. Realize daughters
are expected to conform far more than sons to standards.
Help her to sort through her feelings of the strong bond to family with
helping her to identify who she is as a person, while being proud of
her culture.

More counselor cultural

considerations
Considerations for immigrant students:
Acculturation issues
Pre-immigration issues
Normal adolescent concerns
Language barrier
Counselor can facilitate small-group work or utilize
mentor program
o Provide support network
o Meet with parents, using interpreter if needed
o
o
o
o
o

Counseling Skills
Ethical Standards
A.1. Responsibilities to
students
a. primary obligation to the
student, who is to be treated
with respect as a unique
individual.
b. Is concerned with the
educational, academic,
career, personal and social
needs and encourages the
maximum development of
every student.
c. Respects the students
values and beliefs and does
not impose the counselors
personal values.

B.1. Parents Rights and

Responsibilities
a. Respects the rights and
responsibilities of parents
endeavors to establish, as
appropriate, a collaborative
relationship with parents to
facilitate the students
maximum development.
d. Is sensitive to diversity
among families.
E.2. Diversity
a. The professional school
counselor affirms the
diversity of students, staff,

Bibliography

Allocca L., (2003, May). The Psychodynamics of First Generation Italian-American

daughters: Their Experiences, Challenges, and Achievements. Retrieved June, 2009, from
http://dommapp01.shu.edu/depts/uc/apps/...Allocca-Lina_Master.pdf?Open

Goh, M., Herting-Wahl, K., Koch-McDonald, J., Brissett, A., & Yoon, (2007, April). Working
with Immigrant Students in Schools: The Role of School Counselors in Building CrossCultural Bridges. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development. 35, 66-79.

The National Italian American Foundation. http//www.niaf.org/research/2000_census_4.asp

http://www.justlanded.com/english/Italy/Articles/Being-Italian

Discussion Questions
In the Italian culture there is a lot of family
history. How does that affect ones
development?
How would you as a counselor deal with her
strong bond to family and trying to discover
who she is? Would you add any other
counseling methods to my list?