Midterm - Intro & Orientation

Question 1

What is the case study of Elaan and Co-Parenting?

Answer 1

• Single woman uses anonymous donor, friend becomes birth coach and caregiver
• Friend supports by moving into nearby apartment, helps with care and attends medical/school meetings
• Friend adopts Elaan in 2016, challenges laws (parents typically romantic partners)
• Outcome : Declaration of Parenting granted, friend legally recognized as parent
• Co-Parenting Dynamics : Non-romantic partnership works well; shared values in raising Elaan
• Law now different : biology over intention

Question 2

Name and explain the definitions and evolution of Family

Answer 2

• Legal definitions : vary by institution (Stats Canada, Children’s Aid Society, Correctional Services, Air Canada, etc)
• Census changes :
  1981 - common law counted
  2001 - Same sex common law included
  2006 - Same sex married couples included
  2011 - Couples with children can be classified as intact families or stepfamilies
• Canadian Family Law : Expanded to include more diverse family structures (ex. common-law, same-sex)

Question 3

Name and explain the Social and Personal Definitions of family (4)

Answer 3

• Nuclear Family : Traditional husband, wife, children model
• Extended Family : Includes relatives beyond the nuclear unit
• Kinship : Based on blood, marriage, or social connections (ex. First Nations’ extended networks)
• Intentional Families : Created based on shared lifestyles or emotional needs (important in LGBTQ+ contexts)

Question 4

Name and explain the two research methods in psychology of family

Answer 4

• Quantitative : Surveys, experiments, statistical analysis (correlation, longitudinal studies)
• Qualitative : Interviews, observations, content analysis (in-depth understanding)

Question 5

Explain the trends currently in Canadian Families

Answer 5

• Same-sex marriage legalization : 2005
• Increase : common-law couples, single-parent families (more single dads), mixed unions, same-sex families
• Decrease : fertility rates, married couples
• Fertility : dropped from 3.94 (1959) to 1.5 (2014) children per women