GSS 1972-2002 Cumulative Datafile


Family Planning, Sex, and Contraception



chldidel
IDEAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN
Text of this Question or Item
211. What do you think is the ideal number of children for a 
family to have?
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
1.3
0.8
360
0

2.5
1.6
694
1

52.2
33.8
14,755
2

22.9
14.8
6,470
3

11.9
7.7
3,378
4

1.7
1.1
480
5

0.9
0.6
243
6

0.5
0.3
132
7
SEVEN+
6.3
4.1
1,778
8
AS MANY AS WANT


2.2
940
9
DK,NA


33.1
14,468
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: -1,9
Record/column: 1/804


chldmore
EXPECT MORE CHILDREN
Text of this Question or Item
212. Do you expect to have any (more) children?
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
21.5
10.3
4,504
1
YES
68.2
32.7
14,302
2
NO
4.1
2.0
857
3
UNCERTAIN
6.2
3.0
1,297
4
INAPPROPRIATE


0.4
184
9
NA


51.6
22,554
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: 0,8,9
Record/column: 1/805


chldnum
HOW MANY CHILDREN EXPECTED
Text of this Question or Item
A. How many (more)?
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
33.1
3.3
1,428
1

45.1
4.5
1,947
2

14.5
1.4
628
3

5.0
0.5
217
4

1.1
0.1
49
5

0.7
0.1
30
6

0.1
0.0
5
7

0.4
0.0
16
8
8 OR MORE


0.8
368
9
DK,NA


89.3
39,010
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: 0,9
Record/column: 1/806


chldsoon
CHILDREN EXPECTED IN 5 YEARS
Text of this Question or Item
B. How many (more) in the next five years?
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
19.6
1.1
459
0

49.3
2.6
1,156
1

27.8
1.5
651
2

2.6
0.1
61
3

0.5
0.0
11
4

0.3
0.0
6
5



0.2
102
8
DK


0.7
316
9
NA


93.7
40,936
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: -1,8,9
Record/column: 1/807


pill
BIRTH CONTROL INFORMATION
Text of this Question or Item
213. A. In some places in the United States, it is not legal to 
supply birth control information. How do you feel about this--do 
you think birth control information should be available to 
anyone who wants it, or not?
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
92.0
16.4
7,179
1
AVAILABLE
8.0
1.4
628
2
NOT AVAILABLE


0.3
144
8
DK


0.0
12
9
NA


81.8
35,735
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: 0,8,9
Record/column: 1/808


teenpill
BIRTH CONTROL INFORMATION TO TEENS
Text of this Question or Item
B. Do you think birth control information should be available to 
teenagers who want it, or not?
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
84.0
14.9
6,495
1
AVAILABLE
15.9
2.8
1,232
2
NOT AVAILABLE
0.0
0.0
3
3
DEPENDS ON AGE


0.4
194
8
DK


0.1
39
9
NA


81.8
35,735
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: 0,8,9
Record/column: 1/809


pillok
BIRTH CONTROL TO TEENAGERS 14-16
Text of this Question or Item
C. Do you strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree 
that methods of birth control should be available to teenagers 
between the ages of 14 and 16 if their parents do not approve?
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
27.7
9.2
4,040
1
STRONGLY AGREE
31.0
10.4
4,528
2
AGREE
22.0
7.3
3,206
3
DISAGREE
19.4
6.5
2,826
4
STRONGLY DISAGREE


1.0
448
8
DK


0.1
41
9
NA


65.5
28,609
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: 0,8,9
Record/column: 1/810


sexeduc
SEX EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Text of this Question or Item
214. Would you be for or against sex education in the public 
schools?
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
85.3
46.5
20,338
1
FAVOR
14.6
8.0
3,491
2
OPPOSE
0.0
0.0
9
3
DEPENDS


1.5
669
8
DK


0.2
79
9
NA


43.7
19,112
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: 0,8,9
Record/column: 1/811


divlaw
DIVORCE LAWS
Text of this Question or Item
215. A. Should divorce in this country be easier or more 
difficult to obtain than it is now?
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
27.5
16.5
7,189
1
EASIER
51.2
30.6
13,353
2
MORE DIFFICULT
21.3
12.7
5,554
3
STAY SAME


3.3
1,430
8
DK


0.2
91
9
NA


36.8
16,081
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: 0,8,9
Record/column: 1/812


divlawy
DIVORCE LAWS-VERSION Y
Text of this Question or Item
B. Should divorce in this country be easier to obtain, more 
difficult to obtain, or stay as it is now?
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
23.7
0.4
175
1
EASIER
34.2
0.6
252
2
MORE DIFFICULT
42.1
0.7
310
3
STAY SAME


0.1
33
8
DK


0.0
1
9
NA


98.2
42,927
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: 0,8,9
Record/column: 1/813


spdue
EVER ENTITLED TO ALIMONY OR CHLD SUPPORT
Text of this Question or Item
IF DIVORCED, SEPARATED IN Q. 4 OR Q. 4B WAS ANSWERED YES, ASK Q. 
216. 216. Are you currently or have you ever been entitled to 
alimony or child support payments from a former (husband/wife)?
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
33.7
0.3
124
1
YES
66.3
0.6
244
2
NO


0.1
30
9
NA


99.1
43,300
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: 0,8,9
Record/column: 1/814


sppaid
REGULARLY RECEIVED ALIMONY - CHLD SUPPRT
Text of this Question or Item
A. During the time you were entitled to alimony or child 
support, did you receive these payments on a regular basis, 
occasionally, or not at all?
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
46.7
0.1
57
1
REGULAR BASIS
23.8
0.1
29
2
OCCASIONALLY
29.5
0.1
36
3
NOT AT ALL


0.1
32
9
NA


99.6
43,544
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: 0,8,9
Record/column: 1/815


premarsx
SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE
Text of this Question or Item
217. There's been a lot of discussion about the way morals and 
attitudes about sex are changing in this country. If a man and 
woman have sex relations before marriage, do you think it is 
always wrong, almost always wrong, wrong only sometimes, or not 
wrong at all?
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
28.4
17.4
7,614
1
ALWAYS WRONG
10.0
6.1
2,676
2
ALMST ALWAYS WRG
21.9
13.4
5,855
3
SOMETIMES WRONG
39.7
24.3
10,631
4
NOT WRONG AT ALL
0.0
0.0
0
5
OTHER


1.9
838
8
DK


0.3
117
9
NA


36.5
15,967
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: 0,8,9
Record/column: 1/816


teensex
SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE -- TEENS 14-16
Text of this Question or Item
217A. What if they are in their early teens, say 14 to 16 years 
old? In that case, do you think sex relations before marriage 
are always wrong, almost always wrong, wrong only sometimes, or 
not wrong at all?
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
70.0
23.7
10,369
1
ALWAYS WRONG
16.7
5.7
2,480
2
ALMST ALWAYS WRG
9.5
3.2
1,412
3
SOMETIMES WRONG
3.8
1.3
559
4
NOT WRONG AT ALL
0.0
0.0
0
5
OTHER


0.5
223
8
DK


0.1
46
9
NA


65.5
28,609
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: 0,8,9
Record/column: 1/817


xmarsex
SEX WITH PERSON OTHER THAN SPOUSE
Text of this Question or Item
218. What is your opinion about a married person having sexual 
relations with someone other than the marriage partner--is it 
always wrong, almost always wrong, wrong only sometimes, or not 
wrong at all?
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
75.2
47.0
20,528
1
ALWAYS WRONG
13.8
8.6
3,771
2
ALMST ALWAYS WRG
8.2
5.1
2,243
3
SOMETIMES WRONG
2.7
1.7
740
4
NOT WRONG AT ALL
0.0
0.0
0
5
OTHER


0.9
383
8
DK


0.2
87
9
NA


36.5
15,946
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: 0,8,9
Record/column: 1/818


homosex
HOMOSEXUAL SEX RELATIONS
Text of this Question or Item
219. What about sexual relations between two adults of the same 
sex--do you think it is always wrong, almost always wrong, wrong 
only sometimes, or not wrong at all?
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
69.5
41.8
18,273
1
ALWAYS WRONG
5.0
3.0
1,312
2
ALMST ALWAYS WRG
6.8
4.1
1,780
3
SOMETIMES WRONG
18.4
11.1
4,835
4
NOT WRONG AT ALL
0.3
0.2
82
5
OTHER


3.0
1,332
8
DK


0.3
138
9
NA


36.5
15,946
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: 0,8,9
Record/column: 1/819


homochng
HOMOSEXUALITY: INHERENT OR CHOICE?
Text of this Question or Item
220. Do you think being homosexual is something people choose to 
be, or do you think it is something they cannot change?
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
48.1
0.9
393
1
SOMETHING PEOPLE CHOOSE TO BE
51.9
1.0
424
2
SOMETHING THEY CANNOT CHANGE


0.3
129
8
DK


0.0
12
9
NA


97.8
42,740
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: 0,8,9
Record/column: 1/820

Pornography



porninf
MATERIALS PROVIDE INFO ABOUT SEX
Text of this Question or Item
221. The next questions are about pornography--books, movies, 
magazines, and photographs that show or describe sex activities. 
I'm going to read some opinions about the effects of looking at 
or reading such sexual materials. As I read each one, please 
tell me if you think sexual materials do or do not have that 
effect. READ EACH ITEM. CODE ONE FOR EACH. 
A. Sexual materials provide information about sex
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
62.6
26.7
11,654
1
YES
37.4
15.9
6,950
2
NO


2.8
1,203
8
DK


0.2
79
9
NA


54.5
23,812
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: 0,8,9
Record/column: 1/821


pornmorl
MATERIALS LEAD TO BREAKDOWN IN MORALS
Text of this Question or Item
221. The next questions are about pornography--books, movies, 
magazines, and photographs that show or describe sex activities. 
I'm going to read some opinions about the effects of looking at 
or reading such sexual materials. As I read each one, please 
tell me if you think sexual materials do or do not have that 
effect. READ EACH ITEM. CODE ONE FOR EACH. 
B. Sexual materials lead to breakdown of morals
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
62.6
26.6
11,613
1
YES
37.4
15.9
6,936
2
NO


2.8
1,245
8
DK


0.2
92
9
NA


54.5
23,812
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: 0,8,9
Record/column: 1/822


pornrape
MATERIALS LEAD TO RAPE
Text of this Question or Item
221. The next questions are about pornography--books, movies, 
magazines, and photographs that show or describe sex activities. 
I'm going to read some opinions about the effects of looking at 
or reading such sexual materials. As I read each one, please 
tell me if you think sexual materials do or do not have that 
effect. READ EACH ITEM. CODE ONE FOR EACH. 
C. Sexual materials lead people to commit rape
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
59.4
24.6
10,743
1
YES
40.6
16.8
7,342
2
NO


3.9
1,695
8
DK


0.2
106
9
NA


54.5
23,812
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: 0,8,9
Record/column: 1/823


pornout
MATERIALS PROVIDE OUTLET
Text of this Question or Item
221. The next questions are about pornography--books, movies, 
magazines, and photographs that show or describe sex activities. 
I'm going to read some opinions about the effects of looking at 
or reading such sexual materials. As I read each one, please 
tell me if you think sexual materials do or do not have that 
effect. READ EACH ITEM. CODE ONE FOR EACH. 
D. Sexual materials provide an outlet for bottled-up impulses
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
66.7
26.3
11,482
1
YES
33.3
13.1
5,730
2
NO


5.9
2,571
8
DK


0.2
103
9
NA


54.5
23,812
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: 0,8,9
Record/column: 1/824


pornlaw
FEELINGS ABOUT PORNOGRAPHY LAWS
Text of this Question or Item
222. Which of these statements comes closest to your feelings 
about pornography laws? READ FIRST THREE CATEGORIES ONLY. CIRCLE 
ONLY ONE CODE.
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
40.2
24.9
10,875
1
ILLEGAL TO ALL
54.6
33.8
14,781
2
ILLEGAL UNDER 18
5.2
3.2
1,414
3
LEGAL


0.8
365
8
DK


0.2
79
9
NA


37.0
16,184
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: 0,8,9
Record/column: 1/825


xmovie
SEEN X-RATED MOVIE IN LAST YEAR
Text of this Question or Item
223. A. Have you seen an X-rated movie in the last year?
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
22.6
13.9
6,058
1
YES
77.4
47.5
20,778
2
NO


0.2
106
8
DK


0.2
66
9
NA


38.2
16,690
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: 0,8,9
Record/column: 1/826


xmovie1
SEEN PORN FILM (THEATER OR VCR) LAST YR
Text of this Question or Item
B. Have you seen an X-rated movie either in a movie theater or 
on a VCR (Video Cassette Recorder) in the last year?
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
22.5
0.3
113
1
YES
77.5
0.9
390
2
NO


0.0
1
8
DK


0.0
2
9
NA


98.8
43,192
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: 0,8,9
Record/column: 1/827


pornimp
IMPORTANCE OF PORNOGRAPHY ISSUE TO R
Text of this Question or Item
224. A. How important is the pornography issue to you--would you 
say it is one of the most important, important, not very 
important, or not important at all?
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
11.2
0.4
161
1
ONE OF MOST IMP
33.4
1.1
481
2
IMPORTANT
40.0
1.3
577
3
NOT VERY IMP
15.5
0.5
223
4
NOT IMP AT ALL


0.0
17
8
DK


0.0
14
9
NA


96.6
42,225
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: 0,8,9
Record/column: 1/828


porninfo
HOW MUCH INFO DOES R HAVE ON PORN ISSUE
Text of this Question or Item
B. How much information do you have about the pornography 
issue--do you have all of the information you need, most of the 
information, some of the information, or very little 
information?
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
14.6
0.5
209
1
ALL INFO R NEEDS
21.1
0.7
303
2
MOST INFO
37.8
1.2
542
3
SOME INFO
26.6
0.9
381
4
VERY LITTLE INFO


0.0
18
8
DK


0.0
20
9
NA


96.6
42,225
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: 0,8,9
Record/column: 1/829


pornfirm
HOW FIRM IS RS OPINION ON PORN ISSUE
Text of this Question or Item
C. How firm are you about (your opinion on/the way you feel 
about) pornography--would you way you are very likely to change 
(your opinion), somewhat likely to change, somewhat unlikely to 
change or very unlikely to change your opinion?
% Valid
% All
N
Value
Label
2.6
0.1
37
1
CHANGE VERY LIKELY
14.4
0.5
205
2
SOMEWHAT LIKELY
29.3
1.0
417
3
SOMEWHAT UNLIKELY
53.7
1.8
765
4
CHANGE VERY UNLIKELY


0.1
26
8
DK


0.1
23
9
NA


96.6
42,225
.
(No Data)
100.0
100.0
43,698


Total
Properties
Data type: numeric
Missing-data codes: 0,8,9
Record/column: 1/830