Family, Life Course, and Society Commons^™

Research Brief No. 7 - Social Participation In Canada Viewed Through A Life Course Approach, Stéphanie Gaudet

Population Change and Lifecourse Strategic Knowledge Cluster Research/Policy Brief

The level of participation in civic and public life in Canada fell significantly from 1992 to 2005. This prompted author Stéphanie Gaudet to ask: how has social participation evolved from 1992 to 2005? And, who are the individuals who participated socially in 2005? Previous studies and policy development on social participation have largely neglected the collective dimension of communities and life course approaches. At the heart of Gaudet’s research, therefore, is a need to further understanding of changes in the life courses of Canadians. In turn, this understanding can help policy makers develop finely tuned policies to foster greater individual …