unification of Italy was still so recent at the end of the 19th century that, for many, even today, the ties of region are more important than national ties.
She also states that in an effort to cushion the shocks of life in the new country, Italian immigrants planted fig trees in their greenhouses and grapevines
in their backyards, played favourite folk songs at social gatherings, cooked traditional foods and visited friends and family on weekends. Customs and
traditions are rooted in the family, whether nuclear or extended, as well as in institutions and organizations in the community. The motivation for the gatherings
were secular, sacred or both. The celebration of marriages, births, name days, anniversaries and birthdays provided a reason to get together. Food was the
vehicle for social interaction. Many of the customs and traditions of the Italian community revolve around seasonal religious festivals all of which had their
prescribed foods and rituals Italian Community.
d. Social Class Variation in The United States of America
All persons, families, and societies differentiate some roles and positions as more important, more powerful, more privileged, more prestigious, and more
highly rewarded than others. According to Eshleman’s The Family: An Introduction the grouping or ranking of persons in a hierarchy of unequal
positions is referred to in sociology as social stratification. There are three variations of social class; wealthy families, middle-class families, and blue-collar
families Eshleman 247. Wealthy families have been identified as the “very rich”, the “upper class”,
and the “ruling class.” This grouping of families is large in power and influence.
They possess enormous resources of wealth and social standing. When we turn to the family structure of the very rich, some interesting bits and pieces emerge.
Families are described by researches as extremely lineal and concerned with who they are, rather than what they do Eshleman 251. Similar to Eshleman,
Kephart’s The Family, Society, and The Individual also states that it is obvious that the upper stratum is a moneyed class, pride in family name is also their
hallmark Kephart 152. The second one is middle-class families. They form the linkage between
the powerful wealthy families and the working class and powerless, financially poor families. Residing in a middle position, the possibility exists of moving
upward as well as the threat of moving downward Eshleman 252. The last one is blue-collar families. It is the blue-collar family, more than
any other, whose members conform to the traditional image of husband and wife roles. The husband’s role is to be a good provider, and the wife’s role, although
she is often employed, is to do the housework and care for the children Eshleman 257.
The Corleones is a very rich and powerful family. They also own respect from the society although sometimes they are feared by people.
B. Mafia
