Unit 1: Families in Different Societies

Famiglia (concetto culturale)

In AP Italian, “family” as a cultural concept: a set of relationships, responsibilities, values, and expectations that vary across societies and change over time.

Parentela

Kinship; being related by blood and/or recognized family ties (e.g., grandparents, cousins).

Matrimonio/unione

Marriage/union; a formal partnership that can create family ties and legal responsibilities.

Convivenza

Cohabitation; living together as partners without being married (a neutral, common term in texts).

Rete di sostegno

Support network; the people who help raise you, support you, and guide decisions (often included when discussing “family”).

Famiglia nucleare

Nuclear family; parents and children living together.

Famiglia allargata (o estesa)

Extended family; includes relatives such as grandparents, aunts/uncles, and cousins who may live together or be strongly present in daily life.

Famiglia monoparentale

Single-parent family; one parent raising children.

Famiglia ricostituita

Blended/reconstituted family; formed after separation/divorce with new partners and possibly children from previous relationships.

Coppia senza figli

Couple without children; a choice or circumstance often discussed in relation to social expectations.

Famiglia adottiva

Adoptive family; family ties created legally through adoption and maintained emotionally.

Famiglia affidataria

Foster family; care arrangement where a child is placed with a family (often legally regulated) without adoption.

Famiglie con genitori dello stesso sesso

Same-sex-parent families; family structures present in society and in cultural debates.

Famiglia scelta

“Chosen family”; friends/community who fulfill family-like roles of care, belonging, and support.

Parenti

Relatives in general; in everyday Italian it can also include people who are very involved in one’s life.

Familiari

Family members (more formal/institutional tone), common in official or formal contexts (e.g., “i miei familiari”).

Compagno/a

Partner (often not married); widely used, including for couples with children.

Coniuge

Spouse (legal term); frequently used in documents and official forms.

Suoceri

Parents-in-law; a common topic in media humor and family conflict narratives.

Figliastro/a

Stepson/stepdaughter; can be sensitive in tone—“figlio del mio compagno” may sound more neutral.

Capofamiglia

Head of household; often appears in more traditional representations where one person (often the man) is seen as the main decision-maker.

Casalinga

Housewife/homemaker; a traditional role associated with domestic work and childcare.

Ruolo familiare

Family role; the behaviors and expectations tied to a position (parent, child, older sibling), shaped by culture, needs, and personal history.

Fornitore economico

Breadwinner; the person seen as primarily responsible for providing financially for the household.

Occuparsi di

To take care of / be responsible for (e.g., “Mi occupo di mio fratello”).

Dare una mano

To help out (especially with household tasks); implies sharing the workload.

Fare i turni

To take turns; organizing chores by rotating responsibilities (e.g., cooking schedule).

Stabilire limiti

To set boundaries/limits; often used when discussing parenting rules and expectations.

Educazione (non solo scuola)

Upbringing/manners; not just “education/schooling,” but also how someone is raised and taught to behave.

Protezione

Protection; often contrasted with autonomy as a source of family tension (parents protect vs teens seek independence).

Autonomia

Autonomy/independence; the ability to make one’s own decisions and manage life responsibilities.

Compromesso

Compromise; a negotiated solution often used in family rule conflicts (curfew, responsibilities, permissions).

Badare a

To look after (often used for elders/children), e.g., “Bada al nonno.”

Assistenza domiciliare

Home care services; support provided to someone (often an elderly person) in their home.

Autosufficiente

Self-sufficient; able to live independently without constant care.

Casa di riposo

Nursing home/retirement home; often contrasted with the idea of caring for elders at home in Italian cultural narratives.

Registro (tu vs Lei)

Level of formality in address; “tu” signals closeness, while “Lei” signals respect/distance (useful with in-laws or institutional contexts).

Verbi modali (dovere, potere, volere)

Modal verbs used to express obligations, permissions, and desires (rules and possibilities), e.g., “Devo… Posso… Vorrei…”.

Verbi riflessivi

Reflexive verbs used for routines and emotional reactions/relationships (e.g., “Mi arrabbio,” “Ci vediamo”).

Imperativo

Imperative mood; used to give advice or instructions (e.g., “Parlane…,” “Sii paziente.”).

Congiuntivo

Subjunctive mood; often used after expressions like “È importante che…” or “Mi sembra che…,” especially in careful written/formal Italian.

Imperfetto

Past tense for habitual actions and background/context (e.g., “Da piccolo andavo…”).

Passato prossimo

Past tense for completed, specific events (e.g., “L’anno scorso abbiamo festeggiato…”).

Rituale familiare

A repeated action with shared meaning (religious or secular) that builds belonging, marks time, and transmits values.

Sagra

Local/regional festival celebrating food and local culture; promotes community socialization and highlights cultural diversity.

Immacolata Concezione (8 dicembre)

December 8 holiday often associated (in many descriptions) with the start of Christmas decorating in Italy.

Epifania (6 gennaio) / Re Magi

January 6 (Epiphany); in some traditions many gifts are associated with this date, referencing the Magi bringing gifts to Jesus.

Carnevale

Carnival; celebrated before Ash Wednesday, associated with masks, elaborate costumes, and masked balls; sometimes explained via ancient traditions.

Mercoledì delle Ceneri

Ash Wednesday; the day after Carnival and the start of Lent in the Christian calendar.

Prodotti, pratiche e prospettive

AP cultural analysis framework: products (objects/institutions), practices (what people do), and perspectives (values/beliefs) used to interpret cultural texts.