Some notable exceptions apply here,of course,such as. But we saw the increase in same-sex marriages coming,because of legislative change that enabled it;it was predictable.
Changes to who we are and how we live are generally incremental and can be seen coming,as things like immigration and population ageing undergo planned or expected progression. Trends,after all,point to where social phenomena is heading because they show the path issues have taken over time.
Surprising census results reveal millennials have overtaken Baby Boomers as nation's largest group.
It’s no surprise that the either by birth or through their parents. India and Nepal emerging among the fastest growing countries of origin was foreshadowed by,years in the making.
shrinking, households increasing,families being redefined,women still doing Herculean levels of housework while being the most qualified of the sexes, out of reach for most young people,and more apartment living – it was all coming,decades in the making. The census says valuable stuff to help inform policy and practice. But despite its clear signposts indicating how Australia is changing,and what Australia needs,policy isn’t keeping up.
We’re a nation in flux;ever-changing and moving. Never standing still. This is the nature of humanity. And time. If social change advances like a tortoise,this country’s social policies are like a slug covered in salt bathing in a pool of froth. Done for and useless.
Australians are adapting and finding solutions to difficult problems that government policy is failing to address. M living in a single home together,for example,to cope with or to avoid the problematic and This adaptation is not because of anything government is doing – it’s because it is not doing enough.
Census after census over the past 20 years has shown home ownership declining. Likewise,the gender gap in household work of 15-plus weekly hours has increased since 2006,with women continuing to do more unpaid work than men,despite increasing rates of labour force participation among women. These issues are not new. And yet the data shows the policies that have been put forward to address them have clearly been inadequate.
The data shows we need better policies to address housing affordability,gender inequality,,and income support,to match the needs of the population. Tinkering around the edges of complex policy areas – a couple of extra weeks of paid parental leave,for example – just doesn’t cut it. It results in very little change in the census data,which reflects how we live our lives,and respond (or not) to various government policies.
Earnest investments towards housing and economic security will help address the disconnect. Universal childcare will make parenting more than just the domain of mothers and will help children as well as help gender equality. A properly that encourages fathers to spend time as the primary carer will help address the rising levels of housework carried out by women.
Census data clearly shows governments have been pretty terrible at doing their job. You can’t hide from data.
The census is essential in contemporary Australia. The national enumeration provides unique information about the number,composition and geographic spread of the Australian population and its needs. Nothing beats the census.
Thanks to the 2021 census,for example,there is now data on the needs of the nation. More than,with women more often affected than men. This data is crucial to identifying need and providing care. But who’s listening and taking note?
The census shows Australians are making their own way,as best as can be,with outdated social supports. The way we do things must change,to best meet the needs of the Australian people. Here’s to the next census reflecting improved government policy that changes our lives for the better.
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