Familism

Immigrant Ties

The close connectedness of families existed during earlier times in the United States both in immigrant families and in the larger society. Historically, immigrants from many groups exhibited a strong sense of familism. This sometimes included chain migration where one family paved the way for subsequent members of the extended family and community to emigrate. The process of immigration and the social and economic interdependency often guarantee the survival of such family connections for some time. Relationships outside the family are sometimes limited to members of the person's own ethnic or religious community. Thus, individuals rely on the extended family or the larger ethnic community for occupational and educational opportunities as well as for social activities and emotional support.

For older immigrant groups, familism diminished as a result of industrialization and the attendant urbanization of many residents. As individuals gained university degrees and became economically successful, they gradually adopted more middle- and upper-class lifestyles along with a nuclear family lifestyle of just parents and children living in the same household. Such families were also less likely to live adjacent to extended family members and to help with common projects. Frequent contacts with grandparents and other extended family members were more difficult to [Page 478]maintain, although most family members today maintain some contact with related family members. The changes in the family were further amplified by World Wars I and II.

Familism today is exemplified most by Latino families, although a number of groups also have elements of it, including African American, Italian, Greek, Korean, Philippine, Vietnamese, and Cambodian families. Although this interconnectedness has diminished for earlier assimilated immigrant groups, it remains strong for many groups, particularly Hispanic or Latino groups, and for both recent and older generations.

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