Abstract
The major hypotheses of this study were formulated within the institutional theoretical framework. The relationship between the total average scores of scaling items and the transforming ratings were obtained within the instutional continuum -the most traditional versus the least traditional. Within the consequences of their assimilation and cultural acculturation into the American society, the generational differences are positively associated with the changing pattern of their marriage and family-relationships from traditional-authoritarian to democratic-equalitarian.
Conclusively, the suggestive interpretation of the results of the present study will be as follow ;
1. Most of the Issei immigrants who came from the rural folk societies in Japan worked in the fields or on the land in certain rural areas in the United States and thus difficulties in getting professional occupations in urban areas.
2. The Nisei (second generation) families are more mobile than Issei (first generation) families horizontally and vertically. Through the interaction with heterogeneous social factors and accomodation to the American middle-class value system, Niseis and Sanseis are fast losing the traditional pattern of marriage and family relationship. This can be seen especially among Sanseis since they have almost completely lost the conceptual of the traditional household (Ie).
3. Issei families were able to keep traditional and stable ways of family life within the ethnic group, but not Niseis and Sanseis. These results manifest that the traditional pattern of the family had shifted to accomodate to new generational forces.
4. Because of poor educational backgrounds and socio-economic status, Isseis were enthusiastic about giving higher education to their children. Among Issei generation the children were the center of their concern. On the other hand, Niseis realized the poor conditions of an Issdi's life in the pioneer period and tried to express their appreciation toward Isseis by emphasizing the traditional attitudes of filial piety. However, among most of the Sanseis, the center of their concern transformed from the family line to individuality.
5. While younger generations are adopting and assimilating into the larger society, the social bases for maintaining the Japanese traditional cultural heritage have been weakened. Most of Niseis' grand-parents did not reside in the United States. On the other hand, even if Sanseis' grand-parents are in the United States, they have much difficulties of verbal communication between them.
