Family Matters: Disagreements within couples during the COVID-19 pandemic

Warning View the most recent version.

Archived Content

Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please "contact us" to request a format other than those available.

Release date: January 11, 2023
Infographic: Family Matters: Disagreements within couples during the COVID-19 pandemic
Description: Family Matters: Disagreements within couples during the COVID-19 pandemic

There were 8.6 million married or common-law couples in Canada in 2021.

Among people who were living with a spouse or partner in 2022: Compared with before the pandemic…

18% felt that the number of disagreements with their spouse or partner about parenting tasks had increased while 5% felt the number of disagreements had decreased.

17% felt that the number of disagreements about money had increased while 4% felt the number of disagreements had decreased.

14% felt that the number of disagreements about household chores had increased while 5% felt the number of disagreements had decreased.

9% felt that the number of disagreements about having children had increased while 4% felt that the number of disagreements had decreased

After the pandemic began, couples faced new decisions about how they would respond to changing circumstances.

Among people who were living with a spouse or partner in 2022: Since the beginning of the pandemic…

43% had disagreements with their spouse or partner about parenting decisions related to the pandemic.Note 1

38% had disagreements about respecting physical distancing and public health guidelines.

20% had disagreements about vaccination against COVID-19.

Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Social Survey – Well-being and Family Relationships, 2022, Census of Population, 2021.

Date modified: