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December 7, 1998
Trends Emerging from The Progress of Canada's Children
1998
| AREA |
TREND ASSESSMENT |
EVIDENCE |
| Economic Security |
Negative |
- Child and youth poverty rates rising
- Higher poverty rates among the rapidly growing Aboriginal and immigrant youth populations
- Increasing gap between rich and poor families with children
- Stagnating average family incomes
|
| Community Resources |
Negative |
- Increasing number of children in care of welfare agencies in five provinces
- Decrease in child care funding
- 100% increase in food bank use since 1989
- Increasing housing affordability problems
- Increasing post-secondary education costs
- Reduced access to recreation for low-income kids
|
| Family Life |
Negative |
- Divorce and separation rates tripled in last 20 years
- One third of kids in separated families lack assured financial support from non-custodial parent
- Increase in runaway kids
|
| Labour Force Participation |
Negative |
- Declining youth summer employment rates
- Declining employment and wage rates for young parents
|
| Health |
Mixed |
- Majority of children and teens are in good physical condition
- Teen smoking rates rising significantly
- Increasing rates of teen pregnancy
- Significant minority of teens report depression
- Low income families spend less than half as
much as higher income families on health
- Poor kids face serious environmental hazards to their health
|
| Civic Vitality |
Positive |
- Increase in volunteering rates among youth
- Increase in number of "child-friendly" municipal initiatives
|
| Social Engagement |
Positive |
- Criminal charges against youth declining
- Most kids report having someone they can confide in
|
| Learning |
Positive |
- Math and sciences skills improved compared to other countries
- High rate of youth literacy
- Record number of young women enrolled in post-secondary education
|
| Physical Safety |
Positive |
- General crime rate dropping
- Use of bike helmets increasing
- Use of seat belts increased significantly since 1989
- Rate of injury-related deaths of children and youth falling
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The Progress of Canada's Children 1998 - Related Material
Canadian Council on Social Development,
309 Cooper Street, 5th Floor,
Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 0G5
Tel: (613) 236-8977, Fax: (613) 236-2750, Web: www.ccsd.ca, Email: council@ccsd.ca
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