Family Surveys:1984 Family History Survey

General Social Survey – Family Cycles

DLI Atlantic WorkshopCarolyn DeLorey

April 22, 2010

Sources of family data prior to 1984Census

Vital statistics

Household surveys

Snapshots of time

1984 Family History SurveyFirst time historical information on family

life-cycle events of Canadians has been collected

Retrospective in natureSupplement to the Labour Force Survey

Population excluded: Yukon and NWT residents Armed forces personnel Residents of First Nations reserves Inmates of institutions

Persons aged 18 to 65 yearswww.rhemafmlive.com.au/im/life-cycle-image.jpg

1984 Family History SurveyQuestionnaire: Limitations:

Children

Marriages and common-law

Work interruptions

Sample of persons

Cannot make estimates of events

General Social Survey: BackgroundAnnual cross-sectional household surveyConducted since 1985Main objectives:

To monitor changes in the living conditions and well-being of Canadians over time

To provide information on current or emerging issues in Canadian society

GSS: Population Three components of data:

Persons 15 years of age and older

Across the 10 provincesExcluded:

Residents of the Northern Territories

Fulltime residents of institutions

ClassificationDescribes population

groupsCore

Information that monitors social trends

Focus Information on specific

policy issues or social problems

GSS: single survey cycle each year

Topic

1st series 2nd series 3rd series 4th series 5th series 6th series

Year (cycle)

Health 1985 (1) 1991 (6) … … … …

Time use 1986 (2) 1992 (7) 1998 (12) 2005 (19) 2010 (24) …

Victimization 1988 (3) 1993 (8) 1999 (13) 2004 (18) 2009 (23) …

Education, work, and retirement 1989 (4) 1994 (9) 2002 (16) 2007 (21) … …

Family 1990 (5) 1995 (10) 2001 (15) 2006 (20) 2007 (21) 2011 (25)

Social support and aging 1985 (1) 1990 (5) 1996 (11) 2002 (16) 2007 (21) …

Access to and use of Information Communication Technology (ICT)

2000 (14) … … … … …

Social engagement 2003 (17) 2008 (22) … … … …

Family and Friends: Cycle 5 (1990)Core Content

Respondent’s family and friendsRelationships and interactions

Drew on 1984 Family History Survey and GSS Cycle 1 for some questionsComparisons are possible

GSS Cycle 5 collected information on:

Family and Friends: Cycle 10 (1995)Core Content Focus ThemesCanadian familiesFamily and marital

historyJoint custody

arrangementsChild leavingFamily originsFertility intentionsValues and attitudes

toward certain areas of family life

Work interruptions

Effects of environmental tobacco smoke

Wartime service targeted persons aged

55 and over

Family History: Cycle 15 (2001)Family and marital historyChildrenFamily originsFertility intentionsValues and attitudesCustody and financial arrangements

(modified)Education history

Family Transitions: Cycle 20 (2006)Focus New ContentYoung families Early life course

transitions

Leaving the parental home

Union formation/dissolution

Family formation related to the birth or adoption of a child

Work/life balanceChild careBuying a first homeResources used during

significant family transitions

Tables available from CANSIM

Analytical Papers

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89-625-x/89-625-x2007002-eng.pdf

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89-625-x/89-625-x2007001-eng.pdf

Townsend-Batten, B. (2002). Staying in touch: Contact between adults and their parents. Canadian Social Trends, 64, 9-12.

Beaupré, P., Turcotte, P. & Milan, A. (2006). Junior comes back home: Trends and predictors of returning to the parental home. Canadian Social Trends, 82, 28-33.

Chalmers, L., & Milan, A. (2005). Marital Satisfaction during the retirement years. Canadian Social Trends, 76, 14-17.

Where to find out more:

The General Social Survey: An Overviewhttp://www.statcan.gc.ca/bsolc/olc-cel/olc-cel?catno=89F0115X&CHROPG=1&lang=eng