Yukon Single Fathers Research Project
Title: Single fathers in Yukon and their social, legal, and economic experiences: A sociological survey
Dr. Shawkat Shareef, would like to know about the social, legal, and economic experiences of single fathers in Yukon. This is the first survey of its kind in Yukon and possibly the first comprehensive online survey on single fathers in Canada.
Why are we trying to know about single fathers in Yukon? Because, until now, they are an invisible group though the numbers are growing increasingly both in Yukon and in Canada. Unfortunately, they are overlooked in sociological research, and policy that traditionally centers around single mothers. Yukon presents an especially bleak scenario: although 26.9 percent of all single parents in Yukon are single fathers ( Yukon Bureau of Statistics), there is not a single government department or organization in Yukon is dedicated to single fathers, and there’s a notable lack of comprehensive and actionable data on single fathers for the government to use. In other words, the unique challenges, and experiences of single fathers in social, legal, and economic contexts remain insufficiently understood and addressed. Recognizing and exploring the distinct realities of single fathers is crucial not only for the formulation of more inclusive and effective social policies but also for understanding the broader dynamics of single-parent families. Research into the lives of single fathers is vital for the development of government policies that broadly support the welfare of single parents, including single mothers, and their children. This approach ensures that the needs of all single-parent families are met, contributing to a more inclusive, equal, and better functioning (for children, youth, adults, i.e., for all) Yukon society.
In this survey, the single fathers are defined as men (cisgender, transgender, and non-binary) who have undergone a divorce, are separated, widowed, or are single adoptive fathers. A single father household is identified as one where the father lives with his children, under age 19, at least part-time, even if this is only a few days per month or a few weeks per year. This research does not include foster parents, single fathers who are currently living with a new partner, nonresidential single fathers ( i.e, chidlren never live with them) and single fathers living outside the Yukon.
The online survey has 4 major objectives:
1. To examine the social challenges faced by single fathers in Yukon, including issues related to stigma, social support networks, and social integration.
2. To investigate the legal aspects of single fatherhood in Yukon, including custody arrangements, government facilitation, or the legal hurdles faced by single fathers in the region.
3. To assess the economic experiences of single fathers in Yukon, focusing on their financial support/challenges, and access to resources and services.
4. To explore the interconnectedness of social, legal, and economic factors in the lives of Yukon’s single fathers, understanding how these dimensions interact and impact their overall well-being.
If you’re a single father in Yukon, or know someone who is, you or they can take part in our online survey by clicking the link provided:
https://qualtricsxm7dttdbxm6.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_54QDnUnXo1eP8Q6
Once the survey data analysis is finished, the results/reports will be made public here on this page. Stay tuned!