Separation in Canada: new insights concerning marital dissolution

Abstract

"Interfaced between marriage and divorce lies an intermediate stage of separation which involves the emotional, physical, and sometimes legal termination of a marriage at some point in time. Examination of special cross-tabulations from the 1976 Census of Canada indicates that the proportion of the population separated is equal to or exceeds the proportion divorced in every five-year age category commencing at age fifteen. The difference between the levels of separation and divorce is most noticeable for the younger and older age ranges. Further differences are [evident] by sex and across provinces. Findings suggest that a reliance upon divorce statistics alone will lead to an underestimate of the magnitude of marital dissolution in Canada." (summary in FRE)