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Toleration or trust? Investigating the acceptance of ‘boat people’ among young Australians

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 08:33 authored by Laughland- Booy, J, Skrbis, Z, Bruce TranterBruce Tranter
There has been intense debate in Australia regarding how asylum seekers who arrive by boat should be treated. Some call for compassion towards those prepared to risk their lives to seek protection, whereas others believe ‘boat people’ should not be allowed into the country. This article uses data from a large representative sample of young people in Queensland, Australia, to understand the acceptance of asylum seekers by young people in Australia. The findings suggest that young Australians are more accepting than the Australian adult population. Several social and political background factors were also found to be associated with the belief that ‘boat people’ should be permitted into Australia. Fewer factors, however, are associated with the trust young Australians have in people from another country. This suggests that while some young Australians may believe boats carrying asylum seekers should not be turned away, fewer might be prepared to enter into trusting relationships with ‘boat people’ should they resettle in Australia.

History

Publication title

Australian Journal of Social Issues

Volume

49

Pagination

195-217

ISSN

0157-6321

Department/School

School of Social Sciences

Publisher

Australian Social Policy Association

Place of publication

Australia

Rights statement

Copyright 2014 Australian Journal of Social Issues

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in human society

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