Role expectations and role realities of older Italian mothers and their daughters.

Role expectations and role realities were examined in a sample of ninety pairs of Italian-American, singled, older women and their daughters. The quality of the relationships between the mothers and daughters was defined by the participants as quite high. The results showed high consensus for the expectations and realities of the role responsibilities of parents and children. A greater number of specific resources were expected and received of daughters. Mothers showed more role confusion regarding what they felt children should expect and what they themselves could provide. There was some indication that daughters may desire less advice and more emotional support from their mothers.