When your family came from Italy, I'm more than sure that they continued to speak their native language and kept their customs. But I also think that they understood that their children must take part in the overall culture and learn English. Today, we have tons of immigrants here who have absolutely no intention of assimilating and becoming truly American. Right here in Texas, for example, immigrants from Mexico can get by without ever learning one English word. How is that good for America? It isn't.
Nothing irks me more than to go through a drive-thru window where the person behind the counter can't understand me and I can't understand him or her.