An Introduction To the History of Italian Family Life

Abstract

This historical context necessary for understanding Italian family life from the early nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century is outlined in this introduction. Italy's backward economy and its political fragmentation in the first half of the nineteenth century is detailed, the major economic differences among various parts of the country are discussed, and the geography of Italian family forms is described. Changes in family form and demographic behavior are sketched, and the recent development of Italian family historiography is examined. Finally, an overview of the contributions made by the articles in this special issue is provided.