Immigrant couples and the handling of differences: the indicators of integration

This paper analyzes the different ways in which immigrants couples adapt to the Italian context, highlighting in particular how those couples deal with and confront the cultural differences they encounter in the hosting country. The report is based on the analysis of forty semi-structured interviews to as many parenting couples emigrated to our country since at least three years. The interviews consisted of a dialogue between the couple and the researchers on different themes such as marriage, family values, intergenerational relationships, parenthood and future plans. Outcomes confirm the presence of different ways of meeting and dealing with the new culture ranging from complete embrace of the Western lifestyle to absolute closure towards the hosting culture, with many different and individual-culture specific intermediate positions between the two extremes.