The Relationship of Family Bonds to Family Structure and Function Across Cultures

Abstract

This study, using a contextual approach, explores the relationship of family bonds to family structure and function across five cultures: Greece, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Britain, and Germany. Its long-term goal is the construction of measures of family structure and functioning that are useful in cross-cultural research. Differences in emotional closeness, geographic proximity to relatives, and frequency of telephone contacts and meetings were not found among the five cultures with respect to members of the nuclear family. Differences between Greece and Cyprus, selected as relatively collectivist cultures, and Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, individualist cultures, on these variables were found with respect to members of the extended family. By showing a pattern of cross-cultural similarity and differences, although moderate, among extended family members, this study shows that family structure and function are context variables that can explain variability between psychological variables and thus add to the explanatory power of cross-cultural psychology.

Adolescents and Their Parents: A Review of Intergenerational Family Relations for Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Families

“…In terms of psychological ties and functional interactions among the family members, the socialization process within a nuclear family has been found to be very similar across cultures [Georgas et al, 2001]. In collectivistic societies family cohesion is highly valued; that is, in these societies higher levels of interdependence and obligation are expected within the family [Georgas et al, 1997;Meredith, Abbott, Tsai, Ming, & Meredith, 1994]. In terms of the family kinship network, cultural differences in family relations were observed within the extended family network across all societies, but not within the nuclear family.…”

Family systems and fertility : fertility behaviour in Europe from a network perspective

“…The results of Georgas et al (1997Georgas et al ( , 2001) support Reher's dividing line. Yet, they are based on interviews with only university students and, therefore, represent a selective sample (Georgas et al 2001: 299).…”

“…Network structure, we assume, is a reasonable indicator of local family systems and their social practices as these structures are indicative of interactions, obligations, and emotional associations between people (Georgas et al 1997(Georgas et al , 2001Viazzo 2010a: 282-283). The structure and intensity of help relationships, including emotional and practical support, demonstrate obligations between family and kin members or important others (Micheli 2012: 22).…”

Οικογενειακά Μοντέλα Και Γονική Επιτήρηση: Μια Συγκριτική Μελέτη Μεταξύ Μεγάλης Βρετανίας, Σουηδίας Και Ελλάδας

“…Είναι πιθανό, για παράδειγμα, ότι τα υψηλά ποσοστά διαζυγίου στην Αμερικάνικη κοινωνία να οφείλονται στον υπερβολικό ατομικισμό που χαρακτηρίζει την κουλτούρα αυτή (Dion and Dion, 1988: 286) Σε πιο συλλογικά πολιτισμικά συστήματα όπου έμφαση δίνεται στην αλληλεξάρτη-ση από την οικογένεια και την υποταγή των προσωπικών φιλοδοξιών σε εκείνους της κοινωνι- ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΚΗ ΣΥΝΟΧΗ ΚΑΙ ΑΝΑΠΤΥΞΗ κής ομάδας τα μη-παραδοσιακά οικογενειακά μοντέλα είναι λιγότερο κοινωνικά αποδεκτά και συνεπώς λιγότερο διαδεδομένα από ότι σε πιο ατομικιστικές κουλτούρες (Triandis, 1995). Η οικογένεια, ως τον πρωτογενή φορέα κοινωνικοποίησης, διατελεί ένα καθοριστικό ρόλο στη μετάδοση πολιτισμικών αξιών και προτύπων συμπεριφοράς (Georgas et al,1997Arnett, 1995. Κατά τον Triandis (1995) η διάσταση της ανεξαρτησίας/εξάρτησης στην κοινωνικοποίηση του ατό-μου καθορίζει την διαπαιδαγώγηση και τους μεθόδους ανατροφής, και κατά συνέπεια τις αξίες που προωθούνται στα παιδιά σε πιο ατομικιστικές και συλλογικές κουλτούρες.…”