Push And Pull Factors Of Immigration

Factors that drive, or push, a migrant out of their native country, and pull them into a new country, are known as push-pull factors.
Many push-pull factors drove my father, and consequently my mother, out of his native country, China and into their adopted country. Some of the push factors that pushed my family to leave included my father’s desire to see the outside world. He felt confined under China’s communist regime, and since he was very young when you migrated, he really wanted to see what was beyond China. Additionally, the Chinese government was not very stable, and there were limited opportunities. He also wished to study overseas, but most of all, he just wanted a better life for his family and at that time, China was not so good
My father wanted to escape the political unrest and Communist oppression in China, and decided on Australia, as Australia appeared to have the most liberal and culturally accepting immigration laws and was easiest to enter. The policy of multiculturalism further encouraged non-European migrants, particularly from Asia, with an emphasis on drawing in people who could contribute positively to Australia. New policies were enacted including race being removed as a factor in the migrant selection process and eligibility for citizenship following permanent residence of three
When I was small, I almost exclusively spoke Chinese and thought of myself as Chinese, but when I first attended preschool, that notion was shattered. I did not feel fully Australian or fully Chinese, and I always felt like the odd one out, as I attended a primary school where my friend and I were the only Chinese, let alone Asians, at the school. I used to pray to somehow “turn into” an “Australian”, and I felt like I did not belong and I just wanted to fit in with my peers who were somehow more “Australian” than me. I was often quite resentful of my parents, but they have shaped who I am today. My parents’ migration story really made me think how lucky I am to live in such a free country where millions of people around the world are constantly oppressed, and that I can and am proud to belong to both cultures. I have realised that what is means to be Australian is not being a white-skinned or Caucasian with parents and family born in Australia, but having pride in Australia and knowing we live in a free and beautiful country that is so multicultural and accepting. What is means to be Australian is respecting and accepting other cultures and having freedom and opportunity. I finally feel like I belong and I am proud to call Australia