THE RELEVANCE OF FAMILISM IN CROSS-CULTURAL STUDIES OF FAMILY CAREGIVING

Although familism has been studied in both Mexican American and Anglo families, there is controversy about whether familism in both groups i s the same. Research has shown great within-group variability, and in addition, the kinship structure in the two groups in fundamentally dif ferent. This article explores the cross-cultural issues in conceptuali zing familism and its relevance to caregiving among Anglo and Mexican American caregivers. Based on data obtained in an ongoing research pro gram, the process of arriving at similarities and differences in the e xpression of familism is discussed using Berry's criteria for achievin g cultural equivalence.