Selected 2005 Publications

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Diversity and public policy

Boston, J. and Callister, P. (2005) IPS Policy Quarterly, 1(4): 34-43.
Download 'Policy Quarterly V1 No4' [warning: 1.85 MB pdf]

This article focuses on some of the key issues identified in a book on diversity and public policy published by the Institute of Policy Studies in early 2006.

Ethnic intermarriage in New Zealand

Paul Callister, Robert Didham and Deborah Potter. Statistics New Zealand Working Paper, September 2005
Download 'Ethnic intermarriage in New Zealand' [256 KB pdf]

Abstract: One of the recommendations of Statistics New Zealand's 2004 Review of the Measurement of Ethnicity was that a programme of research on ethnicity be commenced. One of the central issues considered in the review was how best to collect, code and report dual and multiple ethnic responses. While the review recommended more use be made of single and combination ethnic groups, as well as total ethnic counts, there was still some uncertainty over the best way to report and use dual and ethnic responses. This paper provides some practical samples of the presentation of single and multiple response data in relation to ethnic intermarriage. It is hoped these examples will stimulate further analysis that acknowledges the complexity of ethnicity.

The paper is divided into three sections. The first is a review of literature on ethnic intermarriage and the transmission of ethnicity to children. The main focus in the section on the transmission of ethnicity is how ethnic intermarriage might influence the ethnicity of children. A key aim of this overall project is to assess how ethnicity might be evolving in New Zealand. Therefore information on how children who have parents from differing ethnic groups construct their ethnicity, or have it constructed for them, is important.

Part 2 provides the results of research on ethnic intermarriage in New Zealand using data from the 2001 census. The primary focus is on the high level groupings of European, Maori, Pacific Peoples, Asian and Other. Both total counts and single/multiple ethnic measures are employed for the analysis. In this section there is also a brief discussion of the marriage patterns of 'New Zealanders'.

Part 3 draws together the findings from the literature review and the New Zealand data. The paper concludes by exploring possible future trends in the construction of ethnicity New Zealand and also suggests areas for further research.

New Zealand fathers: Overworked, undervalued, and overseas?

Callister, P. (2005) Paper presented at the NZ Men's Issues Summit, Christchurch, August, 2005
Download 'New Zealand fathers: Overworked, undervalued, and overseas?' [232 KB pdf]

Abstract: Are New Zealand fathers (and New Zealand men in general), overworked, undervalued and, increasingly, overseas? To help answer this question, some background demographic data are firstly presented. These data cover some important changes in the structure of the New Zealand population; long-term changes in employment for men and women; more recent changes in tertiary education participation and the gaining of tertiary qualifications by men and women; and also includes a very brief examination of family change.

Next there is a focus on the working hours of fathers, in particular partnered fathers with young children. While the main attention is given to paid work, some comments about unpaid work are included.

The changing gender distribution of paid and unpaid work in New Zealand

Callister, P. (2005) Treasury Working Paper 05/07 Download 'Changing gender distribution of paid and unpaid work in NZ' here.

Abstract: This paper explores five main questions regarding the gender distribution of work, primarily in the context of couples with young children. These are:

Overall, the data on paid and unpaid work show a pattern that is universal in industrialised countries. New Zealand men undertake more paid work, while women undertake more unpaid work. But there are differences between countries in the amount of paid and unpaid work undertaken by women and men. In particular, New Zealand stands out in terms of both the long hours worked by a group of men and, despite strong growth in maternal employment in recent decades, the low employment rates of a group of women with young children. Recent attention has focused on social policies which may potentially increase maternal participation rates or their hours of work. However, less attention has been given to how this might change the distribution of paid and unpaid work both within households, and the total amount of work undertaken by individuals and households.

This paper considers such issues, and also canvasses some of the reasons why as a society we might want to increase women's participation or hours of paid work. It suggests that such discussions need to be carried out within the context of debates around a wider range of issues including the impact of "overwork" on a group of individuals, families and wider society; how to support replacement fertility levels; and how to increase business productivity. The paper argues that choices made by individuals, households, employers and the government will all play a part in determining the amount of paid and unpaid work undertaken in New Zealand; how such work is distributed between women and men; and the levels of income, parental care of children and leisure that individuals and households are able to achieve.

Overworked families? Changes in the paid working hours of families with young children, 1986 to 2001

Callister, P. (2005) Social Policy Journal of New Zealand, 24: 160-184. Read 'Overworked families?' here.

Abstract: Internationally, there is much research interest in the potential challenges associated with overwork within households, particularly for parents raising children.

New Zealand census data show that, when individuals are considered, average hours of paid work for employed women and men changed very little between 1986 and 2001. Yet, in this time period, there were significant changes in both employment rates for women and men and a polarisation of hours of work among these individuals.

Further affecting household working hours have been changes in family structure. When total hours of work for both single parents and couple families with young children are considered, a polarisation of hours of work is also evident. However, the shift to long hours was larger than the growth in short hours, while the average hours worked by couples with young children also increased.

These findings help explain why many sole parents and couples feel that paid working time has increased and, conversely, that family time has decreased. The paper concludes by examining policy options available to governments in order to curb long working hours.

Assessing the optimal length of parental leave for child and parental well-being: How can research inform policy?

Galtry, Judith and Callister, Paul (2005) Journal of Family Issues, 26(2): 219-246.

Abstract: Parental leave is a complex area of public policy. Concerns include health protection for working mothers, equal employment opportunities for women, access to adequate antenatal and birthing care, maternal recovery, optimal nutrition for infants, and gender equality within families. Given this complexity, the design of parental leave schemes, including the optimal length of leave, should ideally be based on research from a wide range of disciplines. Yet research literature generally focuses on single issues.

In this article, the focus is widened to encompass mothers' labour market outcomes, concerns surrounding childbirth and maternal recovery, parent-infant bonding, children's cognitive development, breastfeeding, and associated with each of these, gender equity objectives. In light of information from a wide range of disciplines and based on two country models, Sweden and the United States, it is proposed that discussions about parental leave policy, including the appropriate length of leave, should take a broad, interdisciplinary perspective.

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