Family Change and Implications for Family Solidarity and Social Cohesion

Social cohesion can be viewed in terms of common projects and networks ofsocial relations that characterize families, communities and society. In the pastdecades, 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 ofindividuals, the paper considers both intra-family cohesion and families as basis for social cohesion. Implications are raised for adults, children and publicpolicy.