Family structure in the Yukon is changing, as it is across Canada. The stereotypical 2-parent family now exists alongside:
- larger extended families;
- single-parent families; and
- blended families.
Statistics Canada data shows the number of married couples in the Yukon is dropping. At the same time, the number of common-law couples is increasing.
The number of single-parent families led by men in the Yukon has increased in the past few decades. Still, women lead most single-parent families.
Caregiving inequalities
Data shows that women are more likely to be the primary caregiver for their children. The number of women and men who care for other family members like aging parents or extended family is almost equal. Yet, women tend to spend more hours on providing care than men do. Women are also more likely than men to be unemployed or work fewer hours due to family responsibilities. For more information, look at the economic equality theme.
To address the inequality between women and men, we need access to affordable child care. It gives all caregivers the chance to:
- work towards their education and career goals;
- engage in community; and
- take part in recreation activities.
Changing caregiving trends
Data shows more men are taking parental leave or becoming stay-at-home caregivers. Still, women in the Yukon make up the majority of those on parental leave.
The COVID-19 pandemic created many challenges for caregivers due to:
- school exposures and closures;
- signs of illness in children;
- online schooling;
- cancelled extracurricular activities;
- financial hardship due to missed work; and
- increased stress and impacts to mental health.
What are the indicators?
The following indicators tell us about gender, child care and parenting in the Yukon.
Distribution of Census family structure in the Yukon
10%
Between 1991 and 2016:
- the proportion of married-couple families decreased by 10%;
- the proportion of common-law couples grew by 6%;
- female lone-parent families grew by 2%; and
- male lone-parent families also increased by 2%.
Across Canada:
- the number of common-law couples is increasing at a higher rate than that of married couples; and
- the number of male lone-parent families is increasing.
Source:
Statistics Canada, 2001, 2011 and 2016 Census of Population; Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 98-312-XCB2011034.
Notes on data:
- Common-law refers to 2 people living together as a couple but not legally married to each other. They may be of opposite sex or of the same sex.
- The Census definition of a lone-parent family is a mother or a father, with no spouse or common law partner present, living in a dwelling with 1 or more children. This includes:
- children living with one parent following a parental breakup;
- single parents of adopted children;
- a grandparent living with a grandchild when the middle generation is not present; and
- widows or widowers.
- A child in a lone-parent family could be an adult child.
- The Census of Population is conducted by Statistics Canada every 5 years to collect demographic and social information on all people living in Canada.
- Data from different cycles of the census must be compared with caution. For example, in 2011 there were changes to the questions used to determine Aboriginal identity. Also in 2011, there were significant changes to the way census data is collected, and the National Household Survey (NHS) was introduced to collect information that was historically collected in the long-form census.
- Visit the Statistics Canada website for information on census cycles.
Gender of lone-parent family leaders in the Yukon
74%
- Women led 80% of lone-parent families in the Yukon in 1991, compared to 74% in 2016.
- Across Canada, the number of lone-parent families led by men is increasing, although, as in the Yukon, lone-parent families led by women still make up the majority of lone-parent families.
Source:
Statistics Canada, 2001, 2011, and 2016 Census of Population; Statistics Canada
Notes on data:
- The Census definition of a lone-parent family is a mother or a father, with no spouse or common law partner present, living in a dwelling with 1 or more children. This includes:
- children living with 1 parent following a parental breakup;
- single parents of adopted children;
- a grandparent living with a grandchild when the middle generation is not present; and
- widows or widowers.
A child in a lone-parent family could be an adult child.
- The Census of Population is conducted by Statistics Canada every 5 years to collect demographic and social information on all people living in Canada.
- Data from different cycles of the census must be compared with caution. For example, in 2011 there were changes to the questions used to determine Aboriginal identity. Also in 2011, there were significant changes to the way census data is collected, and the National Household Survey (NHS) was introduced to collect information that was historically collected in the long-form census.
- Visit the Statistics Canada website for information on census cycles.
Number of parental employment insurance (EI) beneficiaries in the Yukon by gender
85%
- Women in the Yukon still make up the majority of parental EI beneficiaries. In March 2017, 85% of beneficiaries were women.
- Men have been eligible to take parental EI leave since it started in 1990, but Yukon men rarely did until the December 2000 increase in the length of parental leave benefits from 10 to 35 week.
Source:
Statistics Canada. CANSIM Table 276-0020 – Employment Insurance program (EI), beneficiaries by province, type of income benefits, sex and age, monthly (persons).
Notes on data:
According to Service Canada, individuals who may be eligible to receive maternity or parental benefits include those who are:
- pregnant;
- have recently given birth;
- adopting a child or are caring for a newborn; or
- employed in insurable employment whose normal weekly earnings will be reduced by more than 40%, and who have accumulated at least 600 hours of insurable employment in the qualifying period.
Parental leave taken by Government of Yukon employees
32
- Women still make up the majority of Government of Yukon employees who take parental leave, but the number of male employees taking parental leave is increasing.
- While 12 male employees took paternity leave in 2000–01, more than 2.5 times that number (32) took paternity, parenthood, or parental leave in 2017–18.
Source:
Government of Yukon, Public Service Commission.