FAMILY CHARACTERISTICS (27) 1. Total - Family structure and highest level of schooling of male spouse or male common-law partner 2. Total husband-wife families 3. Families of now-married couples by highest level of schooling of male spouse 4. Less than grade 91 5. Grades 9-13 6. Without secondary school graduation certificate 7. With secondary school graduation certificate 8. Trades certificate or diploma only 9. Other non-university education only2 10. Without certificate or diploma 11. With certificate or diploma3 12. University without bachelor's degree or higher4 13. University with bachelor's degree or higher 14. Families of common-law couples by highest level of schooling of male common-law partner 15. Less than grade 95 16. Grades 9-13 17. Without secondary school graduation certificate 18. With secondary school graduation certificate 19. Trades certificate or diploma only 20. Other non-university education only6 21. Without certificate or diploma 22. With certificate or diploma7 23. University without bachelor's degree or higher8 24. University with bachelor's degree or higher 25. Total lone-parent families 26. Male parent 27. Female parent DEFINITIONS Census Family Structure: Refers to the classification of census families into families of now-married couples (with or without never-married sons or daughters of either or both spouses), families of common-law couples (with or without never-married sons or daughters of either or both partners) and lone-parent families by sex of parent. Families of now-married couples and those of common-law couples together constitute 'husband-wife families'. Census Family Status: Refers to the classification of the population according to whether or not they are members of a census family. Family persons refers to household members who belong to a census family. They, in turn, are further classified as follows:Never-married sons and/or daughters refers to blood, step or adopted sons and daughters who have never married (regardless of age) and are living in the same dwelling as their parent(s). Sons and daughters who are currently or were previously married, or who are living common-law, are not considered to be members of their parent(s)’ census family even if they are living in the same dwelling. In addition, those never-married sons and daughters who do not live in the same dwelling as their parent(s) are not considered members of their parent(s)’ census family. Non-family persons refers to household members who do not belong to a census family. They may be related to Person 1, the household reference person (e.g., Person 1’s divorced brother, brother-in-law, cousin, grandparent), or unrelated (e.g., lodger, room-mate, employee). A person living alone is always a non-family person. Highest Level of Schooling: Refers to the highest grade or year of elementary or secondary school attended, or the highest year of university or other non-university completed. University education is considered to be a higher level of schooling than other non-university. Also, the attainment of a degree, certificate or diploma is considered to be at a higher level than years completed or attended without an educational qualification. Note on Data Quality for Highest Level of Schooling The overall quality of the education variables from the 1996 Census is acceptable. However, a specific data problem has been identified. There is an inconsistency in the ‘Highest Grade of Elementary-secondary’ variable in the province of Quebec. The proportion of persons with the value of 'No schooling or kindergarten only' has increased from 0.8% (44,440) in 1991 to 1.2% (72,070) in 1996. The problem appears to be the wording of Question 24 on the French 2B Census questionnaire. The ‘Highest Level of Schooling’ and ‘Total Years of Schooling’ variables are also affected as they are derived from a number of education questions including ‘Highest Grade of Elementary-secondary’. Footnotes (1) Includes 'Never attended school or attended kindergarten only'. (2) Refers to courses completed at postsecondary institutions which normally require a secondary school graduation certificate or equivalent for entrance, as well as to other courses in related or like institutions which may not require a secondary school graduation certificate for entrance. (3) Includes trades certificate or diploma and other non-university certificate or diploma. (4) Includes trades certificate or diploma, other non-university certificate or diploma and university certificate or diploma below bachelor level. (5) Includes 'Never attended school or attended kindergarten only'. (6) Refers to courses completed at postsecondary institutions which normally require a secondary school graduation certificate or equivalent for entrance, as well as to other courses in related or like institutions which may not require a secondary school graduation certificate for entrance. (7) Includes trades certificate or diploma and other non-university certificate or diploma. (8) Includes trades certificate or diploma, other non-university certificate or diploma and university certificate or diploma below bachelor level.
- Spouses refers to persons of opposite sex who are legally married to each other and living in the same dwelling.
- Common-law partners are two persons of opposite sex who are not legally married to each other but live together as husband and wife in the same dwelling.
- Lone parent refers to a mother or a father, with no spouse or common-law partner present, living in a dwelling with one or more never-married sons and/or daughters.