Italy is regarded as “the China of the West”.

The family is very important for Italians. Italian family life is loyal and close. Its the foundation of Italians lives. It provides financial10 support to its members. And its always there waiting for Italians whenever they want to go back. Italians have stronger feelings of loyalty11 to their family than they have to their country.

The family is also Italians social circle. Italians have frequent12 family gatherings and enjoy spending time with those in their family. They can meet in the square for a quick espresso13， or at someones house for a large dinner. Most Italians wont leave their hometowns. Compared to other European countries， Italians become independent at the oldest age. They may still live with their family after they grow up， sometimes even when they are 30 or 40 years old. And even when Italians move out， they wont live far from their families. Italians like going back home often. Today there are still many big families including grandparents， parents and children in one household.

Italian parents influence their children a lot throughout their lives. Children are trained to be loyal and obey14 their parents from a young age. Among all family members， mama is always the special one. Mother is the soul of the family. She makes tasty coffee and delicious meals， she cleans the house， she brings up children… she might talk too much sometimes， but her love towards her children is never-ending. To respect and love mamas is an unspoken rule among all Italians. Nowadays， more and more men love to cook， help in the household or stay at home with the kids while the women go to work.

意大利被稱为“西方的中国”。

家庭，对意大利人至关重要。他们的家庭生活忠贞、亲密。家是意大利人生活的支柱，它为成员提供物质支持。无论他们何时想回来，家永远都在。对意大利人来说，家，也许比国家更重要。

家也是意大利人的社交圈子。意大利人经常举行家庭聚会，享受与家人在一起的时光。他们在广场碰头，喝一杯浓缩咖啡，或者到某人家中吃一顿大餐。大多数意大利人不会离开家乡。与欧洲其他国家相比，意大利人独立生活的年纪最大。他们可能一直和自己的原生家庭住在一起，甚至直到三四十岁。即使从家里搬出来，他们也会尽量选择住在离家人不远的地方，这样可以常回家看看。如今，仍然有很多意大利大家庭，祖孙三代同居一室。

意大利父母在孩子们的一生中影响很大。孩子从小就被告知：“好好听大人的话。”在所有家庭成员中，妈妈永远是最特别的。妈妈是全家的灵魂。她做可口的咖啡、美味的饭菜，她打扫房屋、哺育孩子，即使有时候会唠唠叨叨，但她对孩子的爱永无止境。尊重和爱护妈妈，是意大利人心知肚明的“规矩”。如今，越来越多的男人爱上了烹饪，喜欢在家中帮忙做家务，或者干脆让女性出门上班，自己在家照顾孩子。