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Ethnic fertility differences in Canada, 1926–71: an examination of assimilation hypothesis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

K. G. Basavarajappa  and
S. S. Halli
K. G. Basavarajappa
Affiliation:
Demography Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa
S. S. Halli
Affiliation:
Social Science Computing Laboratory, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
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Summary

The changing pattern of fertility differences among ethnic groups in Canada during the period 1926–71 is studied. Two specific questions are addressed. (1) Do ethnic groups assimilate the fertility patterns of the general Canadian population over time, i.e. are the fertility differences disappearing? (2) Is the extent of assimilation in fertility greater in urban than in rural areas? The indirectly standardized general fertility rates, calculated by using the ethnic age distribution data from the censuses of 1931 to 1971, indicate a tendency for the population to become more homogeneous during times of increasing fertility, thus supporting the assimilative possibilities, whereas in times of declining fertility there is a tendency for the population to become more heterogeneous. The data also seem to support weaker assimilatory tendencies in rural areas than in urban areas during only the most recent period, 1966–71, and not in earlier periods.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 16 , Issue 1 , January 1984 , pp. 45 - 54
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1984

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