From Family Research to Practice: Argentine Families Coping with the Challenges of Religious Intensification

Abstract

This intergenerational, qualitative study of Jewish families in Argentina (N = 10 mother/daughter dyads) coping with the religious intensification of their daughters exemplifies cultural change in one or more of their subsystems. We found challenges to family cohesion related to food and television limitations, daughters' lack of acceptance of siblings' partners, and parents' concerns about the way their grandchildren were being raised. Relationships reportedly were not adversely affected by the daughters' religious intensification. The grandparent-grandchild relationship served as a bridge between cultures and generations with grandchildren being regarded as socializing agents. Results were interpreted in terms of strengths, ecological, and interactionist role theories. A community-based intervention model that derives from this research is suggested.