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There are 3 contributing factors to Canada's declining fertility rates: Great Depression, Second World War & Birth Control.
Great Depression: During most of the 1930s, women had fewer children on average. Many people felt that they were unable to take on the additional financial or social responsibilities of a family and/or children.
Second World War (1939): Women began to join the labor force. They worked in industries that they were previously excluded from, including manufacturing.
Birth Control:  Birth Control was introduced in the early 1960s, but wasn't legalized until 1969. This resulted in the prevention of children.
- Women went from having 3.9 children on average (1950s), to 2.1 children (1970s).

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Are Canadian Families WORSE or BETTER today than they were in the past?

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Are Canadian Families WORSE or BETTER today than they were in the past?

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There are both positive and negative aspects to Canadian families as a whole.
- Regarding the positive aspects, there is an increase of dual-income families, meaning financial trouble tend to cease to exist.
- There is an increase of same-sex marriages, which boosts the narrative of healthy, understanding, functioning families, all while broadening Canadian societies understanding of traditional relationships, fertility, and parenting.
In contrast, the negative aspects seem to be quite prevalent.
- Greater divorce rate (Divorce Act, 1968)
- Declining Fertility Rates
- Increased Lone-Parent rates
- Common-Law couples
While examining both sides of the spectrum, we have all came to a collective agreement that Canadian families are better than they were before. Canada stands as a free, accepting, and diverse country, and all contributing factors such as mixed unions and common-law couples all contribute to that.

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Due to the Great Depression and Second World War, the rate of lone-parents increased.
- Shortly after the Second World War in 1939,  divorce rates sky-rocketed, pre-war marriages failed, and war widows married again.
- From 2001 to 2006, the lone-parent family rate increased by 0.5%.

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In order to confirm whether a family falls under this category, they must live together while being in a conjugal relationship for at least 3 years. If they have children together, they only need to be together for 1 year.
- In the 1968, the Divorce Act stated that couples would be able to obtain a "no fault" divorce following a separation of 3 years. This resulted in an increase of marriage rates from (90.1%, 1951) to (91.6%,1961), and  a decrease in lone parents rates (9.9%, 1951) to (8.4%, 1961).
- In 1981, the Divorce Act reduced the separation period to 1 year, which caused a record high divorce rate.
- Between 2001 and 2006, this rate increase by 0.9%.

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In July of 2005, gay marriage was legalized. Due to this fact, the way how society views and defines family, changed forever.
- 33% increase in same-sex couples (2001-2006)
- 17% of same-sex couples were married  (Census, 2006)

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In dual-income families, both spouses/partners work to produce two streams of income. Between both partners, 3 key aspects are shared:
- Family Finances
- Economic Power
- Decision Making
As reported, the number of dual-income families with young children, specifically under the age of 6, increased from 31% in 1976 go 67% in 2008. Also, the mothers of young children also increased greatly, striking from 87% to 74%.

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Common Family Structures in Canada Today

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Common Family Structures in Canada Today

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Nuclear: this consists of spouses and their dependent children
Extended Family: several generations living in a single household.
Lone-parent Family: a single parent with one or more dependent children.
Blended Family: this is made up of divorced partners, married or not, with or without children from a previous marriage or union.
Same-sex Family: 2 individuals of the same sex that are either married, in a relationship, have children, or do not have children.
Married/Cohabiting Couple: These are spouses or partners that do not have dependent children.

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Throughout the years, marriage and lone parents rates fluctuated heavily due to various reasons.
- The Divorce Act separation period went from 3 years to 1 year.
- In the 1940s, there were many remarriages from regular and widowed wives.
- Second World War (1939): Shortly after the war, many lives were lost and marriages began.