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, % Dane County=4,224 Milwaukee County=37,175 Waukesha County=21,027 Minnesota=111, % 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 Italian- American 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 parent’s 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 Provide support network Meet with parents, using interpreter if needed

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 student’s values and beliefs and does not impose the counselor’s 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 student’s maximum development. d. Is sensitive to diversity among families. E.2. Diversity a. The professional school counselor affirms the diversity of students, staff, and families.

Bibliography Allocca L., (2003, May). The Psychodynamics of First Generation Italian-American daughters: Their Experiences, Challenges, and Achievements. Retrieved June, 2009, from 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 Cross-Cultural Bridges. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development. 35, The National Italian American Foundation. http//

Discussion Questions In the Italian culture there is a lot of family history. How does that affect one’s 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?