An empirical test of the embourgeoisement thesis : the Australian case

Abstract

Australian sociological literature is characterized by a distinct lack of research in the field of social stratification. Indeed, there have been no substantial attempts (apart from the nation-wide Australian National University study carried out by Broom, Jones and Zubrzycki in 1965) to delineate the Australian system of stratification. Likewise, the embourgeoisement thesis, which has aroused considerable research interest in Britain, Europe, and the United States has, with the exception of a small study ln Melbourne, received little empirical attention from Australian social scientists. By means of an empirical test, this study aims to assess the validity of the embourgeoisement thesis within the socio-economic and socia-cultural context of Australia.