Families migrate to Australia from overseas for a myriad of
reasons – employment, education, etc. Many migrant families
have the same primary motivation to move to a new country – a
better life for themselves and their children. However, one of the
risks in migration is that more often than not, families have
limited financial and emotional support from extended family
members.
Some Asian Australian families may follow a traditional
household structure where the husband works outside the home and
the wife stays home to look after children. In some cases, the wife
has limited English skills and may rely on the husband to manage
their affairs (financial and non-financial).
When families separate within that structure, the wife may find
it difficult to obtain employment and remain the primary carer of
the children. Many consider returning to their country of
origin.
