Aboriginal marriage and survival

The contemporary demography of indigenous Australians

"Increased public policy focus on indigenous Australians over the past 30 years has resulted in a substantial expansion of demographic analysis over the same period. This paper reviews these efforts and summarizes the main topics, findings and debates. The accumulated evidence points to both demographic change and continuity. Change: in that mortality has declined; fertility levels have been much reduced; urbanization has burgeoned and population growth has entered a phase of rapid increase. Continuity: because mortality is still much higher than the Australian average; fertility remains at a level well above that reported for all women; most individuals still live away from major cities; and the estimation of overall numbers still hinges on a social construction of identity."

Consensual partnering in the more developed countries

"An especially spectacular demographic trend in the more developed countries since the mid 1960s has been the increasing frequency with which couples have cohabited without being formally married. This paper summarizes evidence that exists for the emergence of this phenomenon in different countries, and reviews the substantial literature it has generated.... The view is expressed that research to date often has avoided confronting the diversity of meanings consensual unions have for those who live in them."

Some myths in the demography of aboriginal Australians

The author discusses the proliferation of stereotypes and myths concerning the demography of aboriginal Australians. "In this paper, four of these myths will be discussed, in the hope that a basis for constructive analysis of recent and historical demographic change can be laid." The myths considered pertain to the validity of studying aboriginal societies that have been in contact with non-aboriginal societies, disorder in the aboriginal family, the study of aborigines as a third world population, and the relationship between high fertility and aboriginal poverty.