DETAILED FINDINGS

The four chapters of the Detailed Findings Section present all data extracted and derived from the secondary data sources used in this study.

1. Canadian Context 1976 - 1985

This chapter provides a context for the study by summarizing some of the basic demographic changes among Canadians, particularly women, and outlining briefly the major changes in the economy and in industry tat might affect interpretation of the more specific data which follow.

2. Education

This chapter presents data relevant to changes in women's status in institutions of learning (e.g., elementary and secondary school, community college and universities).

3. Training

The chapter on Training presents data on changes in women's status in nationally funded training programs (i.e., funded by Employment and Immigration Canada). It also includes one recently completed study on both academic and non-academic adult education.

4. Employment

The final chapter in the Detailed Findings presents data relevant to changes in women's status in employment. It includes changes in both the amount and type of paid work in which women are employed.

The chapter also presents data relevant to changes in women's economic status, including changes in earnings from employment and in the overall family incomes of women over the Decade for Women.

1 - CANADIAN CONTEXT 1976-1985

During the 1976-1985 timeframe as new legislation of benefit to women was being implemented, the Canadian economic and social context was itself in transition:

• The recession of the late 1970's was followed by a slow economic recovery which was, in turn, marked by unprecedented levels of inflation and unemployment.
  
  
• Women made up an increasing proportion of the population, mainly because of their longer life expectancy (women comprised 50.2% of the population in 1975; 50.5% in 1984).*
  
  
• The average age of the population continued to rise, with the largest ten-year age cohort being in the 25-34 year old group in 1984. Thus, there is now a significant decline in the number of workers who are between 18-24 years old.*
  
• An increasing number of women now live alone:
  
  Between 1971 and 1981, the number of women aged 15-34 who lived alone more than tripled.
  
  In 1981, 32% of women age 65+ lived alone.
  
  Between 1971 and 1981, female-headed lone-parent families increased by 59% to comprise one out of every ten families in Canada.*
  
  
• Jobs in Canada began to undergo a change as dramatic as that which occurred during the Industrial Revolution:
  
  Automation has altered the nature of work itself, with the result that the Canadian workforce must be trained or retrained in a number of different skills.

* Statistics Canada, Women in Canada, 1984.

Since business is now conducted on a global basis, some companies that previously employed Canadian workers have re-located in Third World countries where labor costs are much lower. This has resulted in a decline in some Canadian industrial sectors.

• Government concern about the deficit has resulted in a serious erosion of budgets for social programs. Since women comprise the largest group needing social assistance, not only is the gap between women and men maintained, but the gap between women with lower and higher income is also broadened. Sole support mothers comprise the largest number of this low income group.