Patriarchal Structures and Ethnicity in the Italian Community in Britain

Book excerpt: First published in 2001, this book retraces the chronological history of the Italian Diaspora community in Britain from its inception in the eighteenth century to the present. The author describes the immigrants’ way of life, patterns of occupation, gender relations and modes of integration in the host country. In addition, the book focuses on the role of religion, an institution which has traditionally reinforced both Italian cultural identity and unequal gender relations. Until now, most ethnic studies have been carried out on racialized minorities - those with physical differences - and they have generally failed to emphasize the gender relations within minority communities.