Australian Social Trends - Essay Example

Australian Social Trends Introduction Social trends within any society play an important role in shaping the overall identity of any nation. Historically, most of the societies show uniform social trends however they can often differ within subcultures of a broader cultural identity. However, over the period of time as the evolution of human being took place these social trends tend to change to accommodate the resulting changes taking place within the society. These changes are often considered as necessary as many believe that the changes in the social trends convey the message that human civilization is evolving and growing which is then considered as necessary for the survival of human beings. The social trends within a society comprise of many important variables of the society. From fertility trends to the death of a person, they comprise a whole range of variables which are discussed and analyzed in order to analyze a particular society at a broader scale. Australian society is considered as one of the most modern societies in the world which due to its rapid economic growth is showing great signs of changing social trends. Being the developed nation, the social trends in the society are changing fast. This research work will study the contemporary social trends in Australia besides studying the role of religion in the contemporary society. The overall aim is to study how the Australian society has evolved over the period of time to accommodate various changes into its very fabric in terms of changed social trends. Social Trends in Australia Before discussing the contemporary social trends in Australian Society, it is very important that we must first understand analyze the Australian society itself. This analysis therefore would include a thorough review of the various elements of the Australian society including its demographics, social values, education, minorities, family and community etc. It is believed that the modern Australia was founded some two hundred years ago when European settlers increased their influx into the region however, before their influx; the aborigines inhibited this place for thousands of years ago. It is because of this reason that modern Australian society is now more dominated by While Europeans with little or no participation by the original inhabitants of the region into mainstream society of Australia. This characteristic of Australian society makes it a society with little touch of strong racial excessiveness against the original inhabitants of the region. However, recent apology by the new Australian government has greatly reduced that gap between the two strata of the Australian Society. According to 2005 census, Australian Population comprises of 20.30 Million people, out of whom 92% are European, 6% are Asians whereas 2% of the population is aboriginal. The religious composition of this population includes 20% Anglican, 26% Roman Catholics, 21% other Christians, 5% other than Christians and 15% of the population has no religion at all. (Nations Online, 2008). This combination of Australian Society provides a very rich opportunity to study the most recent trends that are happening into the society on much broader scale. Following section will discuss the contemporary social trends in the Australian Society. Contemporary social trends in the Australian Society Every year, Australian government publishes a document outlining the social trends within Australian Society. According to official document, social trends within Australia are classified into eighy broader areas where social trends are analyzed and measured. (Statistics, 2007) These areas are: Education and Training Family and Community Health Housing Economic Resources Population Work Other areas. We will be discussing these trends one by one: Education and Training Education and training of the members of the society show how healthy and constructive that society is. Over the period of time, Australian population has shown increased trends in acquiring education and training. However, the most recent trends suggest that the acquiring of education is on rise between the age group of 25 to 64 as the increasing demands of the employers force employees to obtain more education to obtain technological skills to match with the competition. Besides there is an increase by the women in education as women are increasingly acquiring high level and non- school education. Family and Community The recent trends in Australian society suggest that there is a sharp decline in the marriage rates whereas the divorce rates are on increase in the society. This sharp distortion in the trend have virtually changed and altered the family structures within Australia as Health There is a growing trend of obesity and being overweight as most of the Australians are showing increasing trends of obesity. 54% of the population is now termed as overweight as compared to 45% in 2005. The resulting increase in the weight of the population has increased the overall spending on the health by the general public also. Another significant trend in the health is the increase of diabetes in the population as 3.6% of the population is reported to be suffering from diabetes. Housing The increase in the property prices has increased the stake of the homeowners in their property. Besides most of the Australians consider home as one of the most important assets in their lives therefore there is a very little change in the housing patterns except the fact that property prices have increased which has increased the equity of the household owners also. Economic Resources The purchasing power of the common Australians have increased over the period of time as the economic expansion of the economy has greatly increased the overall wellbeing of the society. During past decade the net disposable income per capita grew by 10%. Population The fertility in Australian women is on increase as during 2005, the overall fertility rate increased to 1.81 babies per women in Australia. However, over the past few decades, the fertility rate was on decline and hit the historic low of 1.35 babies per women in 2001. However, it must also be noted that this change in the fertility rate is also the result of the changes in the age of mother as more and more Australian women tend to have babies at the older age. Work & Other areas The labor force participation trends have not shown much significant change as there is a very slight change in the labor force participation. Australia is also witnessing a shift in workforce patterns as more and more immigrants are entering the country. Role of Religion in Contemporary Society Having discussed the social trends within Australian society, this section will focus on the role of religion into contemporary society with focus on Australia. Religion and Australian Society Historically, it has been observed that religion and social classes are the two cleavages dividing democratic political system into any country. Australia is one such country where both the factors have not only shaped the political system of the country but also the composition of its society. (Bean, 1999). However, over the period of time Australia carried the impression of being one of the most secular countries in the world as religion played a very insignificant role into the day to day affairs of the society. However, a close analysis of the social fabric of the Australian society would suggest that Australia is neither a secular country and nor a religious country but it is both. Religion and secularism have their own buyers in the society as you would easily spot people wearing some religious signs ranging from Muslim scarves to Jewish Kippah. (Lobo, 2001). This statement is contemporary in the sense that religion in Australia did not come by naturally. Given the historical past of European settlers in the country, their violent nature even caused the burning of first ever Church built in Australia. Some authors even went on to suggest that “While European Australians never have been an overtly religious people; they have not been a stridently atheistic or an aggressively anticlerical people either.” (Gillman, 1988). However there are also significant evidence which suggest that the Christianity has a significant influence over the various important things including education, health and social work within Australian society. As described above that 92% of the population is Christian pointing significantly towards the structure of the society based on religion. Similarly there have been efforts by the government of Howard to bring in religion into the public policy of Australia. The offering of prayers during the daily opening of House of Representatives is just one such example as to how the divided Australian society is on the issue of religion as there have been large hue and cry regarding implementation of this. (Stam, 2007). Conclusion Australian society is witnessing a drastic alteration into several of its social trends that were historically its strengths. Changing family structures, ageing population, increased immigrants have just started to shake the Australian Society. Historically, this society has been termed as secular in nature however there is mix evidence in support of this as Australian society shows trends in both ways. The increasing immigrants may tilt the Australian society towards a point where religion starts to exercise significant influence over it. Bibliography Bean, C. (1999). The Forgotten Cleavage? Religion and Politics in Australia. Canadian Journal of Political Science , 32 (3), pp. 551-568. Gillman, I. (1988). Many Faiths – One Nation. Sydney: Collins. Lobo, S. (2001). Australia – a secular country? Retrieved May 27, 2008, from http://www.uni-koblenz.de: http://www.uni-koblenz.de/anglistik/subjects/as/papers/richter.html Nations Online. (2008). Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved May 27, 2008, from One World - Nations Online .:. lets care for this planet: http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/australia.htm Stam, J. A. (2007). Turnbull slams role of religion in Australian society. Retrieved May 27, 2008, from Applied Hermeneutics: http://appliedhermeneutics.blogspot.com/2007/04/turnbull-slams-role-of-religion-in.html Statistics, A. B. (2007, 08 07). Australian Social Trends, 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2008, from Australian Bureau of Statistics: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4102.0?OpenDocument Read More