Lyndon Walker
University of Auckland
This paper discusses the application of log-linear modelling techniques to Census data in order to examine cohabitation patterns in New Zealand from 1981 to 2001. The main focus of the study is ethnic homogamy (couples where each partner has the same ethnicity) amongst couples who live together and how it has changed over this time period. A quasi-independence (or diagonal dominance) model is applied to each period in order to see the relative degree of homogamy across different ethnic groups. This model is then reparameterised to incorporate a time factor so that the changes in each group can be measured across the five Census periods. An alternative parameterisation known as the "crossing parameter model" is then applied to the data to test whether there has been a change in the degree to which people will cross ethnic boundaries in their relationships. In particular this parameterisation aims to test whether there is a difference in the cohabitation choices of people who have indicated more than one ethnicity in their Census form.
Session 2c, Social Surveys: 14:55 — 15:15, Room 031