Migration from Italy to Australia, with special reference to selected groups

Abstract

In short, this thesis deals principally with four aspects of Italian emigration: territorial emigration rates, the territorial composition of migration from Italy to Australia, the chain migration of Italians to Australia, and the occupations and sexual and marital mores of selected groups of Italians before and after arrival in Australia. As far as practicable, has aimed to show that: (i) Italians have not emigrated for strictly economic reasons; (ii) Italians have emigrated as an alternative to striving for socio-economic changes at home; (iii) The frequency of emigration and associative political action as alternatives has depended primarily on the class structure and extra-familial solidarity; (iv) The territorial composition of migration from Italy to specific receiving countries has been a product of Italy's territorial emigration differentials and governmental action; (v) Chain migration has been an important factor in the territorial composition of migration from Italy to Australia, and has depended on the administrative system and the nature of the Italian groups which have developed in Australia; (vi) The behaviour of Italian groups in Australia has depended on the selectivity of migration in relation to the changes in their traditions after migration and settlement. Show more