Gender composition of couple (for person)

Status: This standard was approved as a departmental standard on July 31, 2026.

Definition

Gender composition of couple refers to the gender or genders of members of the couple in relation to one another.

Person refers to an individual and is the unit of analysis for most social statistics programs.

Usage

'Gender composition of couple (for person)' only applies to persons whose census family status is 'married spouse' or 'common-law partner'.

Derivation

'Gender composition of couple (for person)' is derived from the responses to questions about the relationships among the people who live in the household and about the gender and sex at birth of each household member.

Conformity to relevant internationally recognized standards

There are no relevant internationally recognized standards.

Classifications

Relation to previous version

  • Gender composition of couple (for person) July 31, 2026 to current

    This standard replaced the previous standard "gender diversity status of marriage or common-law union of person". The name and definition of the concept have been modified, as have the names of the classification and variant. The Classification of gender composition of couple (for person) distinguishes persons in different-gender couples, persons in same-gender couples and persons in non-binary couples. In contrast to the previous version of this classification, persons in transgender couples are no longer distinguished. Instead, persons in different-gender couples and same-gender couples may be cisgender or transgender persons.

  • Gender diversity status of marriage or common-law union of person November 29, 2021 to July 30, 2026

    This standard was replaced by the 'Gender composition of couple (for person)' as of July 31, 2026.

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