Patterns of Work and Family Organization: Buffalo's Italians

The assumption is questioned that all immigrant groups respond in like manner to new homes in Ur industr places. First-generation Italians who lived in Buffalo in the early 20th cent did not endure the fam disorg so often attributed to immigrant groups. M's maintained their traditional positions of authority despite months of unemployment annually. Usually the women engaged in various forms of homework to contribute to the fam income, rather than leaving home to work in the factory. Thus, they were able to contribute to fam income without threatening traditional patterns of fam authority & DofL. In conclusion the fam is not seen, as it usually is, as a dependent variable in the industr'ization process. Census data & a variety of historical sources are used to buttress the arguments. AA.