February 25, 2003
Second Generation Australians
Almost all second generation youth are proficient in English even if they do not speak it as the only language at home. The second generation's enrolment rate in secondary or tertiary education is also significantly higher than that of youth who are at least third generation. Consequently, their proportion with post-school qualifications is also higher than that for their peers who are at least third generation. Second generation youth with parents born in Malaysia, China, Greece, Italy, Poland, Hungary or Lebanon are particularly likely to stay in school longer, proceed to tertiary study and obtain post-school qualifications. The second generation of UK or Western European origins is similar in these respects to Australians who are at least third generation.
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Socioeconomic outcomes are clearer for this age group [25-44 years] since they have completed their education and are in their prime working ages. The 1996 Census data confirm the findings of earlier studies that the second generation who are of most Southern or Eastern European origins have better educational and occupational outcomes than those of UK or Western European origins. Although small in number, the second generation of parents born in Malaysia or China has the highest proportion with university qualifications and in professional occupations. The second generation of Eastern European or Asian origins who are in managerial or professional occupations also have higher incomes.
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Maintenance of the parents' language at home continues to be strong among the second generation of Greek origin, followed by those of Lebanese, Italian and Chinese origins even as they reach middle age.
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The second generation of some Southern European, Eastern European and Asian origins are more likely to achieve better educational and occupation outcomes than those of other origins. The second generation of English-speaking or Western European origins are more similar to at least third generation Australians in their socioeconomic characteristics.
Source: Second Generation Australians