Demographics, Research, and Analysis
There is much to be understood about how Italians have adapted to becoming Americans, and, in turn, how America has changed thanks to the immigration of Italians. As the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute continues with its Italian Diasporas: Data Snapshot project in demographics, research, and data analysis, the aim is to provide information regarding a variety of characteristics related to the Italian diaspora addressing the issues of assimilation and accommodation.
This month the Data Snapshot explores living arrangements across age groups and compares gender differences.
Living arrangements are affected by multiple factors, including cultural values, economic considerations, and family dynamics. These influences change and evolve through time. At one time, it would have been inappropriate for an unmarried woman to live independently. Now that women have gained economic rights such as being able to apply for a loan without a male relative to co-sign and can have a credit card account, women can readily qualify for a lease or a mortgage. There is no longer a blatant stigma for a single woman to choose not to marry, even if she decides to bear children. Unmarried couples who were not related were once prohibited from sharing living arrangements. There are still states where cohabitation is technically illegal, namely, Mississippi, Michigan, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The data presented belies multiple stereotypes about Italian Americans regarding living arrangements. For example, one might incorrectly assume that, given cultural artifacts, it is less likely for women of Italian heritage to live alone. Yet, in the 25–36 age group, 12.46% of Italian American women live alone compared to 9.24% in the non-Italian American population.
Increasingly, educated women are deferring marriage and childbirth until they have established economically viable careers. This trend is not limited to white women, it is the same for educated Black women and foreign-born women. These data suggest there are more shifts in living arrangement to be seen in the next Census.
Some limitations and definitions as per the data sources:
- This data does not include people in group quarters (live in college dormitories or nursing homes) because the United States Census does not include this information.
- Gender is limited to individuals who have self-identified as male or female.
- “Child” includes a son or daughter by birth, a stepchild, or adopted child of the householder, regardless of the child’s age or marital status. The category excludes sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, and foster children.
- “Spouse” includes a person married to and living with the householder. The categories “same-sex husband/wife/spouse” and “opposite-sex husband/wife/spouse” include people in formal marriages, as well as people in common-law marriages.
The Institute invites you to share suggestions for future snapshots and reports.