Applied Research Report, Italy

To: Philadelphia School District

From: Rachel P. Borczuch
Date: 9/8/17
Subject: General Overview of Italy
______________________________________________________________________________
Here is the information you have requested about Italy.

Basic Facts

Italy is a south-central European country with a plethora of culture that makes up

approximately 116, 346 square miles of Europes land and has a population of about 60,815,000

as of 2016 (Britannica, 2016). The contributors identify the primary language to be Italian and

the primary source of currency as euros. Italys government is made up of a republic with a

Senate and a Chamber of Deputies, their legislation (2016). There are many other facts

contributed by these authors about Italy that are different from our country that our students can

learn from, like how their use of euros differentiates from our currencies here. Unlike us, along

with Italys legislative branches, they also have a President and a Prime Minister. Italy also is

known as its formal name, Repubblica Italiana or the Italian Republic (Britannica, 2016).

Whats Happening

What is going on in Italy is important to us and what we are teaching, as they are an ally

to the US and it may apply to our country or our students needs. An interesting event that

occurred just earlier this week was the long awaited end of a major drug trafficking problem

from Latin America to Europe (Squires, 2017). According to Squires, the Italian police force

have been trying to track Rocco Morabito, or The King of Cocaine for 23 years, until he was
arrested in a hotel in Uruguay recently (2017). Squires concludes in saying that Morabito is one

of the worlds top 10 criminals and for that they say he is expected to be transported back to Italy

where he will serve 30 years in prison (2017).

Another current event in Italy is also a controversy here in our government, and that is

the debate about migrant housing. Povoledo explains the incident involving many Italian asylum

seekers illegally squatting and recently being evicted from the Piazza Venezia as well as other

places in the past (2017). Many people are concerned that Italy has many migrants on the list for

housing, yet these seekers are just going around taking land that could be theirs. Many other

people believe that Italian citizens should have priority over migrants (Povoledo, 2017).

The Culture

More exciting and positive aspects of Italy are its culture. Italys culture is different not

only compared to other nations, but within itself. As an example, in Northern Italy, the nuclear

family tends to live under one household. However, in Southern Italy, extended families all tend

to live together. Throughout Italy, no matter where one goes, though, family is a major priority

(Commisceo Global, 2017). Along with that, Italians do business with people they are close with,

and prefer to get work done through face to face interactions. They tend to be in business with

people they trust according to Commisceo Global (2017).

Another priority in Italy is wine. According to Commisceo Global, when coming into an

Italian natives home, one should come bringing wine or some other gift. Wine is the typical

drink, and if one does not like it or does not want more, he/she must leave the glass relatively full

(2017). Also, when dining in Italy, it is important to start with smaller amounts of food, as one

will most likely be offered more and it is rude to say no (Commisceo Global, 2017).
 Appearance in Italy is also a major part of the culture. It is a part of living la dolce vida

or the sweet life (Mendes, 2015). Pageants, as well as appearances and aesthetics in general,

have been a part of Italys history as long as Gladiator times, as Mendez explains (2015). She in

turn explains how that affects the amount of plastic surgery done in Italy. Since appearance is so

important, they make plastic surgery almost a requirement that most females get, starting at very

young ages. In fact, in 2013 Italy was one of the top ten countries for aesthetic procedures

performed that year. The idea of minors getting these procedures done has raised medical

concern over the years by the Health Ministry, who eventually banned breast enhancements in

minors.

Many parts of Italy and the culture are very relatable to our students. They also have a lot

of aspects that differentiate us from them, making it an interesting learning experience, should

we choose to go through with this sister-school program with Italy.

 Reference List

Commisceo Global Consultancy Ltd. (2017). Italy Guide- A Look at Italian Language, Culture,

Customs, and Etiquette. Retrieved September 4, 2017 from http://www.commisceo-

global.com/country-guides/italy-guide.

Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. (2016). Italy. Retrieved September 4, 2017 from

https://www.britannica.com/place/Italy.

Mendez, A. (2015). Living la dolce vita: the impact of Italian culture on ideals of beauty. Journal

of Aesthetic Nursing, 4, 344-345.

Povoledo, E. (2017). In Rome, Violent Eviction of Migrants Touched a Nerve. Retrieved

September 8, 2017 from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/04/world/europe/italy-rome-

migrants-eviction.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic

%2FItaly&action=click&contentCollection=world&region=stream&module=stream_unit

&version=latest&contentPlacement=7&pgtype=collection.

Squires, N., (2017) 'The King of Cocaine'. Alleged mafia drugs kingpin arrested in South America

after 23 years on the run. Retrieved September 8, 2017 from

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/04/king-cocaine-alleged-mafia-drugs-kingpin-

arrested-south-america/.