Birth Rate

4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
Birth Rate
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Canada USA
UK Germany
China Mexico
India Ethiopia
Israel Iraq

Crude birth rate 2008

Source: http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/peo_bir_rat-people-birth-rate

Different Types of families Within Canada

20
18
16
14
12
10
8 Different Types of families
6 Within Canada
4
2
0
ild en en en ild en en en
Ch ildr i ldr i ldr Ch ildr ildr ildr
s1 Ch Ch Ch t1 Ch Ch Ch
ent s 2 s 3 s 4 r en t 2 t 3 t 4
r nt nt nt Pa en en en
Pa re re re 1 ar ar ar
2 P a Pa Pa P P P
2 2 2 1 1 1

Source: The Vanier Institute Family Count Page 31 & 33

 Living Arrangements in Canada
50
45
40
35
30
25 Living Arrangements in Canada
20
15
10
5
0
gle x
iS n r ied at
ed
rc
ed we
d
La
w Se r ie
d
ar pa
r v o id
o on m
e ar
M
Se Di W m Sa e-
M
m R
Co

Sources: The Vanier institute Family Count Page 33

Family Facts by Shannon Proudfoot, October 3, 2010, Vancouver Sun

 The issues facing Canadian families today are, the recession, lack of time, women waiting longer
to have children, the cost of living and a rise in divorce and separation rates.

The recession brings a loss of hope; people are filled with the uncertainty that they may not
have enough income for the future.

The cost of raising children is steadily rising. The cost of living is also increasing and if you have
trouble supporting yourself it would be difficult to support a child.

If a family expects to live a certain way the parents may have to work longer hours thus having
less time to spend with their children. Children may not grow up to their full potential if they are not
raised in a loving and active home.

Women are waiting longer to have children, this is causing the population to decrease as people
age and fewer children are born. Women generally want to take advantage of the freedom that comes
with not having children earlier in life; this includes exploring career paths, and traveling among other
things.

Divorce rates are on the incline. People who see other failing marriages tend to steer away from
marriage. More than half of the population will not have children before being married therefore less
babies will be born. Divorce is hard on children and with the escalating rate more children have to deal
with the separation of their parents. Children may develop stress and depression as a result.

(paragraph each issue)

There are some issues facing Canadian families here are some solutions. Stimulating the
economy would create higher paying jobs. This would relieve the stress of overworking and allow more
time for parents to spend with their children. A better economy would also create hope for the future.
Our society is one that is focused on the present. If people spent more time thinking about the future
and made plans for the future; the focus may shift from instant gratification and we might spend more
time strengthening relationships. This may help the divorce and separation rates. People need to be
reassured that marriage can successful. The cost for post secondary education is high and if it was free
the cost of raising children would go down. If everything would cost less and people were more patient
with building strong relationships there would be an increase in happier, successful families. These
solutions will improve family life in the long term.