Migrant Families in Australia. Working Paper 3.

Since 1947, some 3.5 million migrants have entered Australia, giving birth to 2.2 million children. Whereas, in 1947 only 9.8% of Australia's populace were of overseas birth and less than 3% were of non-Anglo Saxon origin, by 1976, some 20% were of overseas birth, some 39% had been born overseas or had a parent born overseas, and some 25% had been either born overseas in a non-British country or had a parent born in such a country. Factors influencing the family formation of non-Anglo Saxon migrants were the Australian economy's structure and the migrant's role in the economy; the family reunion policies of all post war Australian governments; and the interfamilial conflicts between generations over social mores, values, and priorities concerning the preservation of traditional ethnic identity. Briefly reviewing the history of post war migration and the present-day socioeconomic context, this paper provides data on the occupational distribution of male migrants; migrant women in the workforce; non-English speaking workers; migrant unemployment; age, sex, marital status (divorce, separations, and first and second generation intermarriages), and family size of migrants; migration policies and family reunions; settlement and integration; loss of extended family networks; problems of intergenerational conflict; and effects of the Australian economy's structure. (NQA)