Doing Family in a Transnational Context: A Single Case Study Exploring Relationships across Three Generations in an Italian Emigrant Family in Luxembourg

First-generation immigrants leave their home country and face acculturation challenges in their new country of residence. The second generation grows up in this new country and faces different challenges. Usually, these challenges are addressed separately in research. In this single case study of one family who emigrated from Italy to Luxembourg, we explore the relationship with the country of origin and the country of residence and the changing dynamic over time across three generations. We do this by conducting biographical interviews and using network charts (Kahn & Antonucci, 1980) with seven members of the same family - the first generation, now grandparents, their three daughters born in Luxembourg, and one granddaughter also born in Luxembourg.
Overall, the interviews show how the attachment to the country of origin and the country of residence changes over time for both the first and second generation. The grandparents play an important role in maintaining language competence and traditions. The interviews with the three daughters highlight within family differences in the importance placed on maintaining links with their parent's country of origin and the role Italy plays in their daily lives. They place different emphasis on language practices at home. This highlights processes of continuity and change in transmission processes. The interviews show that overall, the emotional attachment to the country of origin weakens over time, while social relationships and integration in Luxembourg become increasingly important and have a positive influence on well-being. However, for all interviewees, the Italian roots continue to be important, although varying in strength.