Greek American Families

Traditions and Transformations

edited by Sam J. Tsemberis, Anna Karpathakis and Harry J. Psomiades

This volume is timely and informative. It documents Greek American family life at a critical juncture in the acculturation process. The authors, who include anthropologists, psychologists, sociologists, historians, and clerics, portray Greek family life past and present, and offer challenging speculations concerning the future of Greek American families.

“Greek American Families is a vital contribution to our understanding of Greek America. Combining original research, historical insight, and penetrating analysis, the authors offer a highly readable portrayal of the strengths and challenges confronting family life in the old country and the new. This significant book should be read not only by Greek Americans, but by all seeking a better understanding of immigrant family life in today’s America.

—Dr. Charles Moskos,
Professor of Sociology, Northwestern University, author of Greek Americans: Struggle and Success

“Greek American Families significantly advances Greek American studies. This volume provides a thoroughly researched account of the historical and contemporary issues encountered by Greek American families and offers a well-informed perspective on where Greek America may be moving in the next century.

—Helen Papanikolas,
whose most recent book is The Time of the Little Black Bird

Contributions:

“The America beyond Ellis Island,” by Dan Georgakas
“The Greek family in the Byzantine Empire,” by Alexander P. Kazhdan
“The evolution of the family and marriage in modern Greece,” by Paul Sant Cassia
“Family ties: Marriage, migration, and community in 19th- and 20th-century Greece,” by Susan Buck Sutton
“Church and family in Greek Orthodox society from the Byzantine era to the present-day United States: Problems and issues,” by Demetrios J. Constantelos
“Interethnic marriages and prospects for ethnic group survival: The case of Greek Canadians,” by Peter D. Chimbos
“I don’t have to worry about money anymore, and I can live like a lady: Greek immigrant women and assimilation,” by Anna Karpathakis
“On being gay and Greek American: A Heraclean labor to fuse identities,” by Perry N. Halkitis
“Greek American families: Immigration, acculturation, and psychological well-being,” by Sam J. Tsemberis
“Separation-individuation issues in the Greek American mother-daughter dyad,” by Euthymia D. Hibbs