Sociological Analysis: Multiculturalism and Immigration in Australia

This essay analyzes the multifaceted nature of multiculturalism in Australia, focusing on the factors that influence the integration of diverse immigrant groups. It explores the concept of 'Australian identity' and the historical context of immigration policies, including the White Australian Policy. The essay examines the dual identities (ethnic and civic) of immigrants and the strategies they employ to assimilate into Australian society. It also discusses the significance of intergroup contact in breaking down stereotypes and fostering a sense of belonging. The author emphasizes the importance of cultural tolerance and education in promoting a truly multicultural society, while acknowledging the hindrances faced in achieving this goal. The essay draws upon various research sources to support its arguments, highlighting the ongoing progress and challenges in creating a cohesive multicultural nation.

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SUMMARY
The author talks about social differences and tries to provide a macro and micro level
analysis of the factors facilitating and inhibiting the integration of different immigrant groups
in Australia. According to Bastian (2012), multicultural Australia should prevent social
division by achieving two goals. It must celebrate the individuality and differences of the
various cultures along with promoting bonds that are common between the groups. The
author talks about 'Australian identity’, how to become an Australian, need of a smooth
balance among the people, importance of both differences and similarities between the two,
factors leading to intergroup contact and how to make multiculturalism work.
Australians often identify white Europeans to be the defining factors of their identity.
Also, other stereotypical identify factors emerge from the White Australian Policy which
states the requirements for being an Australian and wasn’t fully eradicated until 1973.
Immigrants of any state have two senses of identities - the ethnic identity includes the culture
of the ethnic group that the immigrants or their parents had; civic identity comes from
adopting the culture and identity of the dominant society that is, the state they are living in
(O'Hanlon & Stevens, 2017). Assimilating strategies emerge, that includes having both the
identities due to similar values and practices. Separating strategies emerge in case of vast
differences between the two cultures. Immigrants also give up their ethnic identity to fully
embrace themselves as the people of the state. Through these mind-sets, immigrants in
Australia transform themselves into Australians.
Kamp, Alam, Blair & Dunn (2017) opined that group differences in Australia can
give rise to separatism or cultural conflict. The emphasis of overall integration remains of
significance in Australia. Intergroup contact is an important step for erasing stereotypical
beliefs and attitudes. However, subgroups should feel that their own cultural identity is not
subsumed under civic identity. Thus, the solution is not only to bring one's culture to the state
but also understand the culture of others.
To make multiculturalism work, Australians should be open to diversity. One of the
effective ways is through education, making the children aware of what it means to be
Australian along with teaching them cultural tolerance to respect and enjoy the cultural
differences that prevail in Australia (McSwiney & Cottle, 2017). Additionally, the
government needs to provide values that will give all inhabitants to recognise themselves as
one while clinging on to those values. There are many factors in Australia that display
hindrances in making it a truly multicultural nation but, it has been making fast and desirable
progress through the past year and would continue to do so.

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References
Bastian, B. (2012). Immigration, multiculturalism and the changing face of Australia.
In Peace psychology in Australia(pp. 55-70). Springer, Boston, MA.
Kamp, A., Alam, O., Blair, K., & Dunn, K. (2017). Australians’ views on cultural diversity,
nation and migration, 2015-16. Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: an Interdisciplinary
Journal, 9(3), 61-84.
McSwiney, J., & Cottle, D. (2017). Unintended consequences: One Nation and neoliberalism
in contemporary Australia. Journal of Australian Political Economy, The, (79), 87.
O'Hanlon, S., & Stevens, R. (2017). A Nation of Immigrants or a Nation of Immigrant Cities?
The Urban Context of Australian Multiculturalism, 1947–2011. Australian Journal of
Politics & History, 63(4), 556-571.