Tweed in grips of a man drought
MEN in the Tweed are in demand, according to fig- ures collated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The popularity of local men might not be because they are such wonderful examples of the male of the species but because their female counterparts outnumber them.
The 2011 Census shows the Tweed has 3000 more women than men out of a population of about 80,000.
Although the discrepancy is highest in older age groups, the number of younger women is also considerably larger than the number of men.
Griffith University professor of urban management and planning Paul Burton said he would be "very surprised if the mortality rate was different, and the cause".
Younger men especially could be more prone to dying from silly behaviour, traffic accidents and work-related injuries," he said.
However, the discrepancy probably resulted from migration and women were more likely to stay in the area and men would move away to find work.
"I'd be surprised, however, if there was a Tweed specific factor which attracted and maintained the number of women in the area," he said.
If the gender profile stayed the current situation would be exaggerated with the potential for some big problems.
A lack of superannuation could have a big effect on the public purse and also for aged-care facilities.
Southern Cross Uni versity sociologist Maarten Rothengatter suggested the Northern Rivers area historically had been an attractive destination for single-parent families and especially single-mother families.
Economic factors could have pushed these families from more expensive areas such as Brisbane.
Another explanation could be that men who normally lived in the Tweed were away working and therefore were not included in the Census.
He expected some equilibrium would be established in future as women formed relationships outside the area and moved to regions with more work.
Visitor Michela Galletto said she noticed there seemed to be more women and was concerned about the potential lack of available single guys her age.
Casuarina's Alison Hodgson said "I haven't noticed the lack".
