Chicago Sun-Times, Mar 20, 2005 by Maureen Jenkins
FLORENCE, Italy -- Since I arrived here six months ago, my family, friends and acquaintances have been curious about life in my adopted country: Don't you get tired of eating pasta every day? Is the weather as cold as Chicago's? Do you really dry your laundry on a clothesline that hangs outside your window?
But hands down, the No. 1 question from women, regardless of age, race or marital status, has got to be, "But what about those Italian MEN??!!" If I had a dollar for every friend who told me to bring them one home as a souvenir, I'd be a wealthy girl.
I guess it makes sense, seeing as the raven-haired, stylishly dressed descendants of Roman gods are legendary the world over. What heterosexual woman, whatever her ethnicity or cultural background, isn't at least a little bit intrigued by the myth of the Italian man, one who can sweep a normally rational female off her feet with the lyrical-sounding salute of "Ciao, bella!"? Women the world over may claim to visit Italy for its leather goods and Renaissance art, but I'll bet an equal number make pilgrimages here secretly hoping to meet a gorgeous Giancarlo, Paolo or Andrea, whether for lifelong love or just a few days of romantic adventure....
Tesora wrote:
Now, thanks to feminism, we have a world where most families need to have two incomes just to make ends meet and many women (although not all) suffer horrible guilt about having to go off to work each day and leave their children with strangers. How wonderful it is to have such options!!
Maris wrote:Now, thanks to feminism, we have a world where most families need to
Two things in Italy are very different than in the U.S - one the divorce rate is only 10% instead of ours at 50plus %. I think that is because Italy is such a Catholic country that they keep it together. Also, Italians most often have the support of an extended family and when things go wrong as a couple, they have a stronger fabric to support them and get through.
It is nice to have equality, yes, and I think we have it in a lot of ways,
carolina1954 wrote:Feminism has everything to do with families needing 2 incomes..
kaycarley wrote:This would seem to indicate that some changes are taking place -perhaps below the surface.
So ladies, visit Italy with open minds, admire the scenery and flirt proudly with its men if you so desire. Just remember that common sense is one thing that shouldn't get lost in translation.
Tesora wrote:I'm no sociologist, but I wonder to what degree the fact that women have more traditional roles in Italy contributes to their lower divorce rate.
That's funny. Of course, there is a lower divorce rate in comparison with, let's say, the USA. And why? Because couples in Italy don't get married as easily as here... they live together or have a relationship for years and years... no children (although these days they are having children out of marriage though and that's why there was a proposal for this new law that after certain amount of years of living together (including homosexual couples) in the case of death of one of the partners, the survivor will have the same rights and benefits as married couples. (I don't know if it was approved though).
syl wrote:I am confused. Are you talking about this new law being proposed in Italy or the U.S.?
syl wrote: By the way, that is the law in Canada. If couples are living together for years before being married that why is the divorce rate high? One would think that there were no surprises if they know each other so well beforehand.
westsiderny wrote:I declared myself out-of-order for marriage after 3 marriages and 3 divorces. I never was so happier than now.
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