Intergenerational Conflict in Greek Immigrant Families

The author examined the intergenerational conflict between Greek immigrant parents and their Greek-Canadian children caused by differences in beliefs and practises concerning core cultural values (Greek language, Greek Orthodox religion, and family ties). Data collected consisted of responses by six Montreal families to open-ended, semi-structured interview questions. All the parents were born in Greece and immigrated to Montreal after the Second World War. Each family had two teenage children, a boy and a girl, born and raised in Canada. The parents of three of the families each had university-level educations; two other parents had primary-level education; and the father of one family had a primary-level education and the mother a secondary-level education. Interpretation of the data revealed that parents and children held congruent beliefs concerning the Greek language yet differed in their practises of language usage. Their differing practises led to a breakdown in parent-child communication. Regarding the Greek Orthodox religion, parents and children held parallel beliefs and practises, and no apparent conflict on this issue existed. Parents' and children's opinions and actions on family solidarity were in harmony. Divergent opinions and practises emerged on issues of intermarriage and family hierarchy. Conflict manifested itself when issues of family hierarchy arose, while intermarriage was considered a potential source of conflict. The nature and amount of conflict expressed was found to be influenced by (1) parents' educational levels, and (2) gender roles of family members.

Master's Thesis

McGill University

Montreal

1991

[vii]-120p.

en