Competing explanations for youth unemployment (demography, minimum wages, education and training, economic conditions) have profoundly different implications for policy. The history of youth unemployment in Australia and the United States is explored and the causes of the problem as well as some solutions are evaluated. (LC)

Criticizes the accuracy of the methodology currently used by the Australian Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs for identifying socioeconomic status of higher education students. Proposes new individually based measures related to the occupation and education of parents when the student was in high school. (Author/DB)

This paper examines the influence of demographic factors on the contemporary South Australian education system, with emphasis on technical and further education (TAFE). Demography is essentially concerned with the study of changes in human populations, of birth rates and death rates, the timing of child bearing, internal migration and…

Predicts that changing sociocultural patterns will affect services for Australian children in the 1980s. Among topics discussed are demographic changes: a decreased birth rate and an increased number of working mothers in fatherless families at the poverty level. Compensatory education programs and family policy development in Western societies…

This background paper was commissioned to survey the condition of child care in Australia. The first three sections give statistical data on the current patterns of care arrangements and the factors contributing to a demand for expanded and more flexible child care services, i.e., family composition, income, and work arrangements. The next section…

This document contains final papers presented at an International Committee on Family Research (CFR) seminar; included are key, discussant, and free papers as well as closing and farewell addresses. Key papers covered (1) worldwide trends in administrating family policy and (2) work, economic policies, and welfare consequences and…

The five papers presented at this conference highlight the need for Australian education to take due account of recent social and technological changes and the need for society to exercise control over technology so as to ensure that it is used for the advantage of all people. Keynote speaker John Topley discusses trends in the composition of the…

These discussant papers from an International Committee on Family Research (CFR) seminar explore eight topics, seven of which are presented in Part 3. Topics addressed include (1) the worth of supporting the family and pressures, conflicts, and expectations of family life; (2) major demographic trends affecting family policy; (3) families with…

The report on women with non-English-speaking backgrounds (NESB) in the Australian labor force was prepared to review the experience and needs of this population in recent years and to examine the various available sources of information. The first section reviews the standard statistical sources and their research methodologies. The second and…

An Australian study investigated the extent to which media literacy education for secondary school students met its objectives for teaching critical thinking about mass media, both print and television. Results give insight into this cohort's ability to make sense of media messages and about differences in different demographic groups. (MSE)

This report discusses trends in the way Australian families are forming and re-forming, factors determining families' access to income, and proposals regarding reform of the income transfer system. The current shape of families in Australia is described in terms of a shift to marriage at a later age; leaving-home behavior of young people; the…

The Australian 1981 Census results show that the coventional nuclear family is still by far the most prominent family form in Australia. However, since the first family statistics were collected in 1966, other family forms and nonfamily living arrangements have been increasing. This paper examines changes in factors determining family structure…

These papers from an International Committee on Family Research (CFR) seminar explore seven themes, four of which are presented in Part 1. The first set of papers approach the question of whether the family is worth supporting and the related issue of pressures, conflicts, and expectations of family life (Theme 1). Randall Collins discusses…

Pursuant to the emerging political issue of government financial support for private schools in the United States, a study was made of the Australian system of educational finance, which includes substantial government aid to nongovernment schools. Following a historical analysis and typology of government educational policy in both countries, a…

Papers presented at two institutes held in Australia to discuss multicultural education are presented. Topics discussed include demographic background of Australia, principles of Australian pluralism, problems and issues for teachers making decisions on curriculum, the educational experience of children of migrant origin, the objectives and…