How did The Godfather expand popular culture and generational understanding of Italian-American families?

The Godfather, a 1972 film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on the novel by Mario Puzo, had a significant impact on popular culture and the understanding of Italian-American families.
One of the most notable ways in which The Godfather expanded popular culture was through its portrayal of the Corleone family, the fictional Italian-American family at the center of the story. The film presented a complex and nuanced portrayal of the family, depicting their strong sense of loyalty, tradition, and honor, as well as their involvement in organized crime. This portrayal helped to expand the popular understanding of Italian-American families beyond stereotypes of mafia and gangsters that had been prevalent in earlier films and media.
Additionally, The Godfather has been credited with popularizing the "antihero" archetype. The protagonist of the film, Michael Corleone, is a reluctant and conflicted criminal who is forced to take over the family business after the murder of his father. The audience is able to understand and somewhat empathize with him, even though he is doing illegal things. This trope of the antihero has been widely used in other films and TV shows since the release of The Godfather.
The Godfather also had a significant impact on the way that Italian-American culture and heritage was represented in popular media. The film's depiction of traditional Italian-American values, such as family and respect, helped to shift the perception of Italian-Americans away from negative stereotypes and towards a more positive and nuanced understanding.
In summary, The Godfather expanded popular culture and understanding of Italian-American families by providing a complex and nuanced portrayal of a fictional Italian-American family, popularizing the "antihero" archetype, and positively shaping the way Italian-American culture and heritage was represented in popular media.