Tables 7 and 8

While keeping these discrepancies in mind, note that ...

- for each educational level, the participation rates decline beyond age 45; are highest for those between 25 and 45 years; and are highest for single women.

- unemployment rates are highest for the 15-19 year group; high for those whose marital status is described as "other"; and low for younger women with post- secondary non-university education and for older women with post-secondary university education.

- participation rates increase and unemployment rates decrease as the educational level increases to the post-secondary level.

- the corresponding 1971 data shows that participation rates have increased most for married wives labour 25%), and for all age groups up to 54 years. Participation rates for the two oldest age groups are down slightly from 1971.

-single women have a greater attachment to the labour force, over a longer period. The group with the lowest aggregate participation rate are those whose marital status is "other" (divorced, separated, widowed). This remains the same as was found in 1971. Note, however, that if we eliminate the two oldest age groups from this comparison, married wives have the lower rate of participation.

- the 1971 data indicates that for all marital statuses and all educational groups of women under 45 years, the presence, in the home, of children under 25 years significantly reduces the participation rate. The greatest reduction is in the rate of married wives and the least reduction is in the rates of single mothers (divorced, separated and widowed).

- however, the presence, in the home, of children under 25 years has a different effect on women over 45 years. In this age group, it is the women. without children who have the lowest participation rates. The general effect of children appears to be to keep women participating at the same levels as younger women, while the absence of children is accompanied by a reduction in participation. The 1971 data, in summary, is as follows:

While the 1976 data which corresponds to this summary are not yet available, it appears that the age which marks a distinguishing point has risen to 50 years. (i.e. women over 50 years with children at home participate more than those without children at home).

^1.The data do not distinguish between ever-married women who never had children and those whose children are over 25 years.