TABLE 1.

Characteristics of families by family type (1966, 1971, and 1976)

Total number Two-parent One-parent   families
Year
 of families
 families
 Male-headed
 Female-headed
1966 4,526,266 4,154,381 71,502 300,383
100% 91.8% 1.6% 6.6%
         
1971 5,076,085 4,605,485 99,780 370,820
100% 90.7% 2.0% 7.3%
         
1976 5,727,895 5,168,560 94,990 464,345
100% 90.2% 1.7% 8.1%
         
Rate of change +27% +24% +33% +55%
from 1966 to 1976        


Sources:

Statistics Canada, Family characteristics by marital status, age, and sex of head, 1971 Census of Canada, Catalogue 93-718, (Ottawa: Statistics Canada, Census Information Centre, 1975).

   
 

Statistics Canada, Families by family structure and family type, 1976 Census of Canada, Catalogue 93-822, (Ottawa: Statistics Canada, Census Information Centre, 1978).


Comment:

Table 1 indicates that while there has been a steady increase in the number of families in Canada, the percentage of two-parent families is decreasing and that of one-parent families is increasing. By 1976, nearly one family in ten was headed by a single parent. The rate of increase for female-headed one-parent families is double the rate of increase for two- parent families and considerably greater than the rate for male-headed one-parent families.

Low remarriage rates for the female heads of one-parent families and a continuing increase in divorce rates will result in continuing increases in this type of family.

For most female heads of one-parent families there are only two basic alternatives possible: to go out to work or to accept financial assistance from the government. The first option may require initial assistance from governmental-agencies in the form of child care subsidies and occupational training allowances. The second option requires continuing financial assistance from various governmental agencies through social assistance payments and benefits.


Back Contents Next