Family Change and Implications for Family Solidarity and Social Cohesion

Abstract

Social cohesion can be viewed in terms of common projects and networks of
social relations that characterize families, communities and society. In the past
decades, the basis for family cohesion has shifted from organic to mechanical or from breadwinner to collaborative model. As in many Western countries, data on family change in Canada point to a greater flexibility in the entry and exit from relationships, a delay in the timing of family events, and a diversity of family forms. After looking at changes in families and in the family setting of
individuals, the paper considers both intra-family cohesion and families as basis for social cohesion. Implications are raised for adults, children and public
policy.