The strengths and abilities children develop from infancy through adolescence are crucial for their physical, emotional, and cognitive growth, which in turn help them to achieve success in school and to become responsible, economically self-sufficient, and healthy adults. Capable, responsible, and healthy adults are clearly the foundation of a…

Reports on a study designed to define the demographic and career characteristics and the values of lawmakers in the United States and Canada. Discusses how this information was used to predict policy decisions. (TW)

These papers present the major issues and directions in five areas: (1) the socioeconomic and demographic environment (demography, the economies and labor forces of Canada and of Ontario, and the international and social environments); (2) education (K-12, postsecondary, adult, and the educational media resource market); (3) the broadcast…

This paper provides a critical review of empirical and theoretical underpinnings of current research on declining rates of fertility in western countries, particularly Canada. Section 1 describes contributions of demographic analysis to the explanation of declining fertility in western industrialized countries and elaborates on the limits of pure…

Examines the historical development of cultural pluralism and describes sociopolitical influences that affected the rise of minorities in Canada. Observes that Canadian society has been historically dual, composed mainly of French and English Canadians, but that the duality has been modified by plurality due to immigration policy and social…

Reports the results of the National Adoption Study of Canada (NAS), which is based on demographic adoption statistics and a survey of adoption agencies and practitioners. The NAS found that between 1981 and 1990 the number of adoptions decreased by 47% and that private adoptions are accounting for an ever-increasing proportion of infant…

This book, in English and French, explores the concepts of assimilation and community vitality, as well as statistical evidence regarding the vitality of Francophone communities outside Quebec. It highlights trends and seeks to clarify certain issues related to the current demographic reality of Francophone communities outside Quebec. The two…

This paper summarizes findings of a baseline study of Canadian child welfare services and provides a critique of current social policy in Canada. Presently, Canadians have the largest number ever of 15 to 19 year olds (n = 2,369,000). This record number of children born in the late 1950s and early 1960s is likely to affect the number of births in…

Canada's policy of increasing support for university research on the condition that the private sector also contribute, and the policy's results, are discussed. Trends in the awarding of federal grants and the national priorities in research directions are outlined. (MSE)

This paper investigates the real living standards and poverty status of U.S. children in the 1990s compared to the children in 17 other nations, including Europe, Scandinavia, Canada, and Australia. The analysis is based on the Luxembourg Income Study database. It was found that American children have lower real spendable income than do comparable…

Asserting the need for social scientists and policymakers to acknowledge that there is no single, standard image of the family, this report describes the mandate of the Vanier Institute of the Family and examines family relationships, focusing on families in Canada. The report identifies several reasons for the emergence of the dual wage-earning…

This examination of the sociology of language in Canada focuses on the social or societal aspects of the relationship between languages and society rather than on linguistic aspects. The study is developed in seven sections: (1) an introductory discussion of language and communication systems, language acquisition, messages, and language…

This report of the Canadian Institute of Child Health (CICH) is the third to document indicators of the health and well-being of children and youth in Canada. The report is presented in 10 chapters. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the demographic situation in Canada and introduces the key areas. Chapters 2-5 profile successive stages in child…

Social policy for child welfare in Canada should be tested in terms of what it does to support the integrity of the family. The Canadian family in recent years has changed as infant morality rates have fallen, and as the number of illegitimate births, marriages, divorces, and women working has increased. Although the child population as a whole…

Canadian federal reports of current and future demographic and employment trends, altered demand patterns, changing technology, new challenges of employment and unemployment, and a narrowing global community indicate that a comprehensive, cooperative human resource strategy is essential to economic health and international competitiveness.…