HOME AND FAMILY LIFE
Migrants who arrived on the South Coast as European Voluntary Workers* occasionally had their accommodation provided for them by their employers whilst others lived where they could afford, sometimes with friends, family, or work colleagues. Those who remained in England were generally able to save up and eventually buy their own homes, one of the ultimate ways in which to improve perceived social status and ensure their own economic security. Italians who came to England via chain migration* would either move in with family and friends, or have help from their existing personal networks in securing lodgings.
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Italian migrants who married after their arrival did so both within and outside of their communities, with Anglo-Italian marriages one of the most common examples of a so-called 'mixed' marriage. Family was, and still is for most, the primary concern. For the older generations, especially, everyone in the household had their own role and hard work was perceived as the route to success. This is understandable given the efforts the majority had to go to in order to settle and make a living in England.
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Generational differences, especially when speaking to British-born children, are of course apparent, depending on the individual. Some have no problem regarding themselves as Italian, having been raised in the culture and often speaking the language, whether dialect or standardised ('proper') Italian. Others, especially when recalling their childhood and school days, feel more conflicted and consider themselves either bicultural or more British than Italian despite their upbringing.
Where did Italian migrants live? What sort of home life and family life did they build?
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*European Voluntary Workers: A term used to describe the European workers who came to Britain under various work schemes in the immediate post-War period, mainly to deal with the labour shortage, but also to help people displaced by the War.
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*Chain Migration: The process in which migrants emigrate to a new location or country, to then be followed by others from the same town or region. Sometimes those following may have been sponsored by the migrants who left before them, in order to assist their move. This can include organising passport or Visas, transport, employment opportunities and accommodation.
Were your experiences the same as those described? Were they different in any way? What do 'home' and 'family' mean to you? Feel free to share your thoughts on the forum or via the contact page.