Census - Canadian Families: Then and now

Windsor Star

10 Jul 201303:19

Summary

TLDRThis video script discusses the evolution of the Canadian family unit over 50 years, from 1961 to 2011, as revealed by new census data. It highlights the shift from large families to smaller ones, the rise in divorce rates post-1968, and the emergence of common-law relationships. The script also introduces new terms like 'simple' and 'complex step families' to describe modern blended families. It concludes that while the structure of families has changed, it's not necessarily better or worse, just a reflection of societal evolution.

Takeaways

📸 Today's photo shoot represents the evolution of the Canadian family unit from 1961 to 2011, coinciding with the release of new census data by Statistics Canada.
🇨🇦 In 1961, Canada was led by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and had a population of about 18 million, which has grown to approximately 33 million today.
🏒 The year 1961 was marked by the Chicago Blackhawks' Stanley Cup win and the early years of future hockey legends Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Large families were common in 1961, with about a third of households comprising five or more people, a figure that has dropped below 10 percent in the 21st century.
💑 In 1961, over 90 percent of families were headed by married couples, with common-law relationships becoming officially recognized only in 1981.
📉 The introduction of Canada's Divorce Act in 1968 led to a nearly six-fold increase in the divorce rate within a decade, reflecting a significant shift in marital dynamics.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦‍👦 For the first time, the census counted stepfamilies, acknowledging the diverse and complex structures of modern families.
🔍 Statistics Canada has introduced terms like 'simple step family' and 'complex step family' to categorize the various configurations of blended families.
🤔 The script suggests that while the structure of families has changed, it's not necessarily better or worse, but an evolution that mirrors societal changes.
📊 The comparison between 1961 and 2011 families highlights the transformation of the family unit, indicating that the concept of 'family' has broadened and diversified over time.

Q & A

What was the purpose of the photo shoot mentioned in the script?
-The purpose of the photo shoot was to represent a 1961 Canadian family and a 2011 Canadian family to illustrate the changes in the family unit over the past 50 years.
Who was the Prime Minister of Canada in 1961?
-John Diefenbaker was the Prime Minister of Canada in 1961.
What significant change in the healthcare system happened in Saskatchewan in 1961?
-In 1961, Saskatchewan introduced the first public health system in Canada.
Which hockey team won the Stanley Cup in 1961, and who were some of its notable players?
-The Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 1961, with notable players Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita.
How has the population of Canada changed from 1961 to the time of the script?
-The population of Canada was about 18 million in 1961 and had grown to about 33 million by the time of the script.
What was the typical family size in Canadian households in 1961?
-Large families were the norm in 1961, with about a third of private households having five or more people living together.
What was the percentage of families headed by married couples in 1961?
-More than 90 percent of families were headed by married couples in 1961.
When was the concept of common-law couples first counted in the Canadian census?
-The concept of common-law couples was first counted in the Canadian census in 1981.
How did the introduction of Canada's divorce act in 1968 affect the divorce rate?
-The introduction of Canada's divorce act in 1968 led to a nearly six-fold increase in the divorce rate within a decade.
What types of stepfamilies are recognized by Statistics Canada?
-Statistics Canada recognizes 'simple step families' and 'complex step families,' with further distinctions within complex step families based on the biological or adopted relationships of the children to the parents.
What is the difference between a simple step family and a complex step family according to Statistics Canada?
-A simple step family is a couple family in which at least one child is the biological or adopted child of one parent. A complex step family can be further divided into three types based on the biological or adopted relationships of the children to both parents.
What conclusion does the script draw about the comparison between the family units of 1961 and 2011?
-The script concludes that the family unit has evolved over time along with societal changes, and it does not claim one period as better or worse, just different.

Outlines

00:00

🏡 Evolution of the Canadian Family Unit

The script discusses a photo shoot comparing Canadian families from 1961 and 2011, highlighting the release of new census data by Statistics Canada. It reflects on historical events of 1961, such as Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, the first public health system in Saskatchewan, and the Chicago Blackhawks' Stanley Cup win. The population of Canada was noted to have grown from 18 million to 33 million. The script emphasizes the significant changes in family dynamics over the past 50 years, including a decrease in large families and a shift from predominantly married-couple households to more diverse family structures. The introduction of Canada's divorce act in 1968 is credited with a nearly six-fold increase in the divorce rate within a decade. The census now recognizes stepfamilies, with terms like 'simple step families' and 'complex step families' introduced to describe various blended family scenarios. The script concludes by pondering whether the traditional 'nuclear family' of 1961 was better than contemporary families, suggesting that while the composition of families has changed, it has evolved alongside societal changes, neither better nor worse, just different.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Census Data

Census data refers to the statistical information collected by a government about its population, including demographics, family structures, and other relevant social and economic characteristics. In the video, census data is used to compare the family unit in Canada between 1961 and 2011, highlighting the changes in family structures over time. The release of new census data by Statistics Canada is central to the discussion of how the family unit has evolved.

💡Family Unit

The family unit is the fundamental group in society typically consisting of parents and their children, but it can also include extended family members or other types of relationships. The video discusses how the concept of the family unit has changed significantly over the past 50 years in Canada, moving from predominantly nuclear families to a more diverse range of family structures.

💡Nuclear Family

A nuclear family is a family group consisting of two parents and their children. The video contrasts the prevalence of nuclear families in 1961 with the more complex and blended family structures observed in 2011, indicating a shift in societal norms and family dynamics.

💡Stepfamily

A stepfamily is formed when a couple with children from previous relationships come together. The video notes that the 2011 census was the first to count stepfamilies, reflecting a recognition of the changing nature of family structures. It also introduces terms like 'simple step family' and 'complex step family' to categorize the various configurations of stepfamilies.

💡Divorce Act

The Divorce Act is legislation that governs the process of divorce in Canada. The video mentions the introduction of Canada's Divorce Act in 1968, which significantly altered the dynamics of marriage and led to a near six-fold increase in the divorce rate within a decade, contributing to the rise of non-traditional family structures.

💡Common-law Couples

Common-law couples are couples who live together in a marriage-like relationship without being legally married. The video points out that common-law relationships were not recognized in the census until 1981, indicating a shift in societal acceptance and legal recognition of such unions.

💡Population Growth

Population growth refers to the increase in the number of individuals in a population over time. The video provides a historical comparison, noting that Canada's population was about 18 million in 1961 and has grown to approximately 33 million, illustrating the scale of demographic change that has occurred alongside shifts in family structures.

💡Social Evolution

Social evolution refers to the gradual development and change in societal structures, norms, and behaviors over time. The video suggests that the evolution of the family unit in Canada is a reflection of broader social evolution, with the family structure adapting to changing societal values and circumstances.

💡Blended Families

Blended families are those formed by couples who each have children from previous relationships. The video discusses how today's families are 'blended' in many different ways, indicating a complexity in family structures that has grown over time and necessitated new classifications by statistical bodies.

💡Statistical Canada

Statistics Canada is the government agency responsible for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of statistical information in Canada. The video uses data from Statistics Canada to examine changes in the family unit over the past 50 years, emphasizing the agency's role in documenting and understanding societal trends.

💡Cultural Shift

A cultural shift refers to a significant change in the beliefs, behaviors, and values of a society. The video implies a cultural shift in Canada by discussing the transformation of the family unit, suggesting that the changes in family structures mirror broader changes in how society views and organizes family life.

Highlights

A photo shoot represents a 1961 Canadian family and a 2011 Canadian family to compare changes over 50 years.

Statistics Canada has released new census data on the family unit in Canada.

1961 was chosen to reflect on the changes in the family unit over the past 50 years.

John Diefenbaker was the prime minister of Canada in 1961.

Saskatchewan introduced the first public health system in Canada in 1961.

The Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 1961 with Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita.

Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier, future Hockey Hall of Famers, were born in 1961.

Canada's population was about 18 million in 1961, compared to 33 million today.

Large families with five or more people were the norm in 1961.

By the 21st century, less than 10 percent of households had five or more people.

Over 90 percent of families were headed by married couples in 1961.

Common-law couples were not counted in the census until 1981.

The introduction of Canada's divorce Act in 1968 led to a nearly six-fold increase in the divorce rate.

This is the first time the census has counted stepfamilies.

Statistics Canada has defined simple and complex step families to account for blended families.

The nuclear family of 1961 is not necessarily better than today's families; they have evolved with society.

The state of Canadian families in 1961 is not fully known due to the difficulty of divorce at the time.