Family Diversities and Wellbeing Framework

Family Structure

How people are linked to form families

The Family Structure lens focuses on how people are connected in families through their relationships.

The ways families are structured reflect societal values, and influence legislation around union formation and dissolution, childbearing, child care and the economic and social responsibilities family members have with each other.

This lens motivates us to examine how families affect, and are affected by, laws and policies related to the shape of families and family life.

Examples:

•             Intimate partner structures

•             Parental structures

•             Multigenerational structures

•             Structurally diverse families

Related resources

Reports / November 24, 2023

Report: The Rights of Common-Law Partners in Canada

An overview of legal rights of people in common-law relationships across Canada.

View resource

Articles / March 22, 2022

Divorce in Canada: A Tale of Two Trends

Nathan Battams shares new findings on divorce trends in Canada over the last 30 years.

View resource

Articles / October 9, 2020

COVID-19 IMPACTS: Couple Relationships in Canada

Ana Fostik explores the family impacts of uncertainty and economic downturn on couple relationships in Canada.

View resource

Explore the framework

Click the framework lenses below to learn more