Understanding the Greek Family in Australia

This paper reviews the relevant literature and attempts to highlight the implications of the research findings of Social Network Analysis for understanding the Greek family in Australia, with particular emphasis on its relevance for practitioners in the “helping” professions.

The author is concerned with the paucity of information available to practitioners in the field in the variety of settings where immigrant families seek personal help, and believes that the lack of such information lends itself to reinforcing, rather than eliminating, stereotypes and to inappropriate intervention in the lives of Greek immigrant families. The paper also highlights the need to understand Greek immigrant families within the context of the host community and to consider factors with regard to family functioning, that are common to all families.