ABSTRACT
The family of origin is the medium through which ethnic and cultural norms are communicated. Much of this communication is nonverbal—that which is not done or even considered (e.g., marrying outside of one's ethnic background)—or in the form of ritual and symbolism (e.g., the Irish Catholic wake). In the comparative discussion of ethnic groups that follows, it will be helpful to attend to the following dimensions: individualist versus collectivist orientation; definition and boundaries of family membership; openness and directness of emotional expression; emphasis on intellectual, cognitive understanding of experience; conflict management style (overt vs. covert); views of marriage; roles of men and women (e.g., traditional gender roles vs. androgyny); styles of socializing and rearing children (e.g., permissive vs. authoritative); and importance of family loyalty.
