The Child-centred Family Justice Strategy:
Survey on the Practice of Family Law in Canada, 2004-2006

Figure 2.6 Respondents' Views on How Much Weight Should be Given to the Preference of Children at Specified Age Ranges, 2006 and 2004

This bar chart shows the respondents' views on how much weight (none, light or heavy) should be given to the preference of children in custody decisions at specific ages, including: under 6 years of age, 6 to 9 years of age, 10 to 13 years of age, and 14 years of age or older. Both 2004 and 2006 data are shown. The patterns were similar in the 2006 and 2004 surveys and indicated that, predictably, the older the child, the more weight respondents thought should be given to their preferences. While 62 percent of respondents to the 2006 survey thought no weight should be given to children under the age of 6 years, 69 percent thought the preferences of children aged 6 to 9 should be weighed lightly, and 92 percent thought the preferences of children 14 years or over should be weighed heavily. For the age group of 10 to 13 years, 53 percent of the respondents thought their preferences should be weighed lightly, and 45 percent thought they should be weighed heavily.