Description:
Transition is a magazine for and about Canada's families. Published quarterly by The Vanier Institute of the Family since 1970, Transition is widely read and well-respected by policy-makers, researchers, educators, students, journalists, family-service workers, doctors, lawyers, parents, and many others interested in family issues.
In this issue:
This issue of Transition brings Canada's diversity to light with key findings from the soon-to-be-released fourth Edition of Profiling Canada's Families (now titled, Families Count). First published in 1994, this flagship publication presents a comprehensive, reliable statistical portrait of families in Canada. Best characterized as a databook, Families Count has been divided into three parts: 1) Family Diversity; 2) Family Economic Security; 3) Family and Community Life. Each section offers thoughtful commentary on the implications of current trends for families and for policy and programs.
The following is a sneak peak at some of the content from the opening segments of Families Count. We start with a precis of Professor Eric Sager's compelling look at the evolution of 'family' in Canada. Using a chronological map, Dr. Sager outlines the socio-cultural and political terrain upon which the meaning and practice of family has shifted. In his words, "family is always a historical construct. This is true for individuals, and it is equally true for an entire society or nation. Everything about family in Canada today is shaped by our remembered past, our social memory."
This illuminating piece is followed by a series of statistical snapshots excerpted directly from part 1 that reflect the broad range of family diversity in Canada. Findings from sections II and III will be highlighted in the September issue of Transition to coincide with the launch of VIF's new web-site and with the print publication of Families Count.