1. Change and the Canadian Family Timeline

2. 1920’s Decrease in the size of families Why? Consumer families Implementation of child labour laws Mandatory school attendance until 16 years Migration to urban areas WWI – husbands, brothers and sons reduced in #s

3. 1930’s Decrease in the size of families Why? Less social assistance Great Depression Less $ Lone parents reach an all-time high not surpassed until 1996 Married: 86.4% Lone Parent: 13.6%

4. 1940’s Decrease in the size of families Why? Women in labour force Following war there were higher divorce rates Married: 87.8% Lone Parent: 12.2%

5. 1950’s Increase in the size of families Why? Baby Boomers High proportion of married persons at a younger age Larger families 3.9 children each Teenagers become distinct age group Married: 90.1% Lone Parent: 9.9%

6. 1960’s Decrease in the size of families Why? Contraceptives (legalized in 1969) Divorce Act “no fault” (no showing of wrongdoing by either party) Average age of having 1 st child is 23.6 years Married: 91.6% Lone Parent: 8.4%

7. 1970’s Decrease in the size of families Why? Divorce becomes more common Married women work outside the home Last census year that fertility was at replacement level (2.1 children = replacement) Married: 90.6% Lone Parent: 9.4%

8. 1980’s Decrease in the size of families Why? Divorce Act amended to reduce separation to 1 year Record high divorce rates 1 st time common law marriages are counted Married: 83.1% Lone Parent: 11.3% Common Law: 5.6 %

9. 1990’s Decrease in the size of families Why? 1 in 10 couples with children were step families 2.1 million Canadians cared for senior family members Married: 77.3% Lone Parent: 13% Common Law: 9.8%

10. 2000’s Decrease in the size of families Why? Same sex marriages become legal (2006 census) 2001 – 41.19% of young adults 20-29 years lived in the parental home 2006 – 43.5% Married: 70.5 % Lone Parent: 15.7% Common Law: 13.8%

11. Factors Women getting married later Having children later 30 – 34 years Age of majority – 18 years 16 years with parents’ permission