Design Research: Culture and Identity in Australia

Design Research 1
Design Research
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Design Research 2
Design Research
Culture and Identity in Australia
The similarities among the two distinct groups in Australia have led to the formation of a
multicultural society where every cultural groups and subgroups are respected and people coexist
peacefully. The mainstream culture is characterized by Anglo/Celtic-Western customs that
incorporates diverse cultural backgrounds.1 Ideally, such developments have contributed to a
broader cultural context of Australian identity which can be reviewed based on mate-ship,
egalitarianism, humility, authenticity and mate-ship among other cultural aspects.
It can be noted that Indigenous culture is rooted on connections with the land and
kinships. Indigenous identity is intricately linked to land and family ties. Spirituality is another
practice that has been passed down from generations to generations. Studies have also identified
three other key elements that define culture and identity among Indigenous Australians
including; country, law and language2. The relationship between land and families is specifically
established through the kinship system. In this case, roles and responsibilities signify the
connection between land and families and to cement the relationship, these provisions are
enshrined in their laws. The five elements thus define Indigenous Australians’ world view as
well as their cultural identity.3 Understanding this indigenous community has formed an
important part of Australia’s history and culture and which continue to shape the national
identity of the Australian people.
1 X Feng, T Astell-Butt & GS Kolt, ‘Do Social Interactions Explain Ethnic Differences in Psychological Distress
and the Protective Effect of Local Ethnic Density? A Cross-Sectional Study of 226487 adults in Australia’ (2015) 3
BMJ.
2 J Sheppard and N Biddl, ‘Class, Capital and Identity in Australian Society’ (2017) 52 JPS 500, 502
3 SM Shepherd, RH Delgado, J Sherwood and Y Paradies, ‘The Impact of Indigenous Cultural Identity and Cultural
Engagement on Violent Offending’ (2017) 18 BMC PH.

Design Research 3
Although the current Australian society is a true reflection of the British penal history,
Australians or otherwise referred to as Aussies have created a modern society that is unique and
embraces great diversity in relation to languages, architecture, and sport prowess and bush
identity. Australians enjoy high standards of living with plenty of economic and social security
to go around. Similarly, the entire population enjoys comfortable quality of life regardless of
their diverse backgrounds with equitable resources and opportunities for all of Australia’s
inhabitants.4
Under the principle of egalitarianism, Australia can be classified as a classless society.
There is no one person who tends to think of themselves as being better than others. People
would rather refer to themselves as being better off or having an advantage in life. On this note
also, an individuals’ success in the form of education attainment and wealth does not warrant
status or respect within the society.5 This is to say that for people who consider themselves
cultured, intellects and exhibit arrogance or cultural superiority are in most cases treated with
suspicion or far worse resented by the members of the society. Humility in such cases is regarded
of utmost importance during social interactions.6 Such social stratification has been attributed to
the transition to an equal federation from the penal society that historically defined Australian
cultural identity. In such a society, the differences in cultural perspectives of the Indigenous
people of Australia as well as those from the European descent become mutually respected and
accommodated.7
4 Ibid., page 24.
5 F Hodgins , ‘Belonging and Identity in Australia’s Multicultural Society’ (2018)
<https://epubs.scu.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1623&context=theses>
6 M Aftab and HA Rusli, ‘Designing Visceral, Behavioral and Reflective Products’ (2017) 30 CJME 1058, 1059.
7 K Kato, ‘Australia’s Whaling Discourse: Global Norm, Green Consciousness and Identity’ (2015) 39 JAS 477,
479.