Marital separation and divorce: social correlates, gender differences and initiation. For most couples, although not all, separation and divorce eventually lead to more positive life experiences and outcomes, even so for all couples marriage breakdown has significant social, emotional and financial consequences (at least in the short term). Billions of dollars in direct (i.e. social security, family court system) and indirect costs (i.e. ill health, absenteeism) are incurred by the Australian c ....Marital separation and divorce: social correlates, gender differences and initiation. For most couples, although not all, separation and divorce eventually lead to more positive life experiences and outcomes, even so for all couples marriage breakdown has significant social, emotional and financial consequences (at least in the short term). Billions of dollars in direct (i.e. social security, family court system) and indirect costs (i.e. ill health, absenteeism) are incurred by the Australian community each year due to marriage breakdown. This research will help us to understand why some marriages breakdown while others remain intact, and in doing so, will add to the evidence base that informs policies concerning marriage and divorce.Read moreRead less
For Better or For Worse? Understanding the Revolution in Married Life in Australia. Marriage has traditionally been viewed as the bedrock institution of society. But recent evidence suggests that marriage patterns have been transformed. People are marrying less, and those who do are marrying later, separating more, and often marrying after cohabiting and having children. What are the consequences of these changes for people's experience of these relationships and for other outcomes, such as rel ....For Better or For Worse? Understanding the Revolution in Married Life in Australia. Marriage has traditionally been viewed as the bedrock institution of society. But recent evidence suggests that marriage patterns have been transformed. People are marrying less, and those who do are marrying later, separating more, and often marrying after cohabiting and having children. What are the consequences of these changes for people's experience of these relationships and for other outcomes, such as relationship quality, life satisfaction and views about marriage? This project will provide important information that will enable greater understanding of changing family patterns and provide critical data for policy-makers concerned with the social welfare of individuals and the changing role of the family in Australia today.Read moreRead less
Negotiating the Lifecourse: Changing and Maintaining Household and Labour Market Links. This study builds upon and extends a unique longitudinal Australian project concerned with the way in which men and women negotiate employment and domestic responsibilities over the lifecourse. We are seeking funds to collect a third wave of data from our sample and to extend the project in three key areas concerning the domestic division of labour, women's employment and marital stability, and family formati ....Negotiating the Lifecourse: Changing and Maintaining Household and Labour Market Links. This study builds upon and extends a unique longitudinal Australian project concerned with the way in which men and women negotiate employment and domestic responsibilities over the lifecourse. We are seeking funds to collect a third wave of data from our sample and to extend the project in three key areas concerning the domestic division of labour, women's employment and marital stability, and family formation. The significance of the project lies in its longitudinal design enabling us to address key social questions that have not been examined in Australia in the past. The project will deliver important information to policy-makers as well as providing a unique database for social researchers.Read moreRead less
Living Alone in Australia Project (LAAP). This study investigates one aspect of the changing nature of Australia's social fabric. It asks whether the sharp rise in living alone reflects a breakdown in Australia's social fabric or simply marks a change in the way in which the fabric is woven. Living alone has important implications for social policy, service provision and housing. But before these implications are identified we need a much better understanding of who lives alone and what living ....Living Alone in Australia Project (LAAP). This study investigates one aspect of the changing nature of Australia's social fabric. It asks whether the sharp rise in living alone reflects a breakdown in Australia's social fabric or simply marks a change in the way in which the fabric is woven. Living alone has important implications for social policy, service provision and housing. But before these implications are identified we need a much better understanding of who lives alone and what living alone means for people in terms of their social ties. By understanding the causes and consequences of the increasing popularity of living alone the study will help identify those who are at ?risk? and thus assist with effective targeting of supports and interventions.Read moreRead less
Neoliberalism, Inequality and Politics: Public Policy and the Transformation of Australian Society. In 20 years since 1983 there has been a fundamental transformation of Australian public policy based on economic deregulation, an increasing emphasis on market processes and the privatisation and corporatisation of government businesses and services. This project examines the impact of these changes on social mobility and inequality, gender relations and politics and culture. The project uses high ....Neoliberalism, Inequality and Politics: Public Policy and the Transformation of Australian Society. In 20 years since 1983 there has been a fundamental transformation of Australian public policy based on economic deregulation, an increasing emphasis on market processes and the privatisation and corporatisation of government businesses and services. This project examines the impact of these changes on social mobility and inequality, gender relations and politics and culture. The project uses high-quality national sample surveys and leading-edge statistical methods to adjudicate on whether neoliberalism produces positive or negative social outcomes in these three areas of social life.Read moreRead less
Enhancing mothers' engagement with the workforce in the preschool years. Increasing the workforce participation of mothers is a key national policy agenda. This project will produce unique data that provides insights into how leave arrangements, childcare, flexibility, job characteristics and individual circumstances interact to influence mothers' workforce engagement and how this varies for different groups of mothers.
Child Care and Family Service Hubs Impact Study in Rural and Regional Communities. Integration of childcare, health, education and family support services is claimed to be an effective strategy for enhancing outcomes and building community social capital. Despite international activity around integrating services, particularly in rural/regional locations, there exist no well-validated models of service integration and no clear means of measuring the impact on local communities. In collaboratio ....Child Care and Family Service Hubs Impact Study in Rural and Regional Communities. Integration of childcare, health, education and family support services is claimed to be an effective strategy for enhancing outcomes and building community social capital. Despite international activity around integrating services, particularly in rural/regional locations, there exist no well-validated models of service integration and no clear means of measuring the impact on local communities. In collaboration with five government and community agencies we will trace the development of rural multi-services hubs in Queensland, validate 'best-practice' models and produce a multi-dimensional measure to assess community impact. Potential benefits include a 'toolkit' for facilitating service, tracking interventions and building community social capital.Read moreRead less
Child & Adolescent Victimisation: Prevalence & Predictors in Australia. This is a study to determine the rate and predictors of child and adolescent experiences of victimisation in an Australian population based sample.
This study will address widespread concerns about the experiences of violence by Australian children. No previous population based studies have addressed this issue.
Expected outcomes are published papers in major journals, policy relevant data provided to Commonwealth and State ....Child & Adolescent Victimisation: Prevalence & Predictors in Australia. This is a study to determine the rate and predictors of child and adolescent experiences of victimisation in an Australian population based sample.
This study will address widespread concerns about the experiences of violence by Australian children. No previous population based studies have addressed this issue.
Expected outcomes are published papers in major journals, policy relevant data provided to Commonwealth and State governments as well as relevant NGOs.
The consequences of child and adolescent victimisation are substantial. This study will point to both the causes and prioritise strategies to reduce the level of violence experienced by children.
Read moreRead less