ABSTRACT
This chapter examines how West Indian families are coping with the culture conflict of the Old and the New World ways of behavior. It examines how the Maintainers, the Social Isolates, and the Social Strivers are "managing" the companionship type of family with its emphasis on affection and consensus. The chapter discusses three family structures that are all influenced by the norms and values of the American society. The family structure of the Social Isolate is the one least influenced by migration. Both men and women in this group are committed to developing relationships that are beneficial to the entire family. The willingness of Striver women to accept their husbands as the heads of the households and the willingness of the men to treat their wives as equal partners are mainly responsible for the marital stability of this family structure. The refusal of the Maintainers to accept the new definition of the situation is causing severe marital strains.
