Discourses on Family Time

The Cultural Interpretation of Family Togetherness in Los Angeles and Rome

Bibliographic Data

ID2277447
AuthorsT Kremer-Sadlik (0000-0002-3702-0668), Tamar Kremer‐sadlik, Marilena Fatigante (0000-0002-8880-7567, Sapienza University of Rome), Alessandra Fasulo (0000-0003-4464-3895, Sapienza University of Rome)
Year2008
Volume36
Issue3
Pages283-309
Publication date2008-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEthos (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0091-2131 • E-ISSN: 1548-1352
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1548-1352.2008.00015.x
OpenAlexW1984255542
LanguageEN
Citations received24
References cited32

In this article, we examine U.S. and Italian parents' discourses on family time in parent-filled weekly activity charts and interviews with parents. Analysis indicates that in Los Angeles, California, parents talk about sheltering and isolating their nuclear family from the outside world and from everyday routine by creating special times and special activities for the nuclear family. In contrast, Roman parents' discourse allows for spontaneous times with the family that are diffused within routines and merged with other community members, institutions, and social spaces. We argue that differences displayed in parents' discourses are shaped by culturally specific orientations toward time, family, and individual versus shared responsibility. Through this cross-cultural comparison we contribute to the understanding of how local cultural models shape different ways in which parents interpret time spent in family and influence individuals' perceptions of their everyday lives. [family, time, responsibility, United States, Italy

Developmental psychology · Interpretation (philosophy) · Linguistics · Nuclear family · Perception · Sociology · Anthropology · Gender Studies · Migration, Aging, and Tourism Studies · Place Attachment and Urban Studies · Psychology · Social Psychology · Work-Family Balance Challenges

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub