1972-1994 General Social Survey Cumulative File
numkids WHAT IS IDEAL NUMBER OF KIDS FOR FAMILY
All in all, what do you think is the ideal number of
children for a family to have? Please just write a
number in the box below.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
0.8 21 0
2.2 59 1
57.4 1516 2
23.8 628 3
12.9 342 4
1.6 43 5
0.7 19 6
0.5 13 7
29 8 DK
189 9 NA
29521 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 0 MD Codes: 9,8
Decimals: 0 Max: 7
Input location: 1/2556
nokids DESIRABILITY OF NO-KID FAMILY
In general, what do you feel about each of these
family sizes? A. A family with no children.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
4.3 53 1 VERY DESIRABLE
13.7 167 2 DESIRABLE
38.7 473 3 NEITHER
30.0 366 4 UNDESIRABLE
13.3 162 5 VERY UNDESIRABLE
114 8 CANT CHOOSE
79 9 NA
30966 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2557
onekid DESIRABILITY OF ONE-KID FAMILY
B. A family with one child.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
7.6 96 1 VERY DESIRABLE
46.3 583 2 DESIRABLE
24.4 307 3 NEITHER
19.0 239 4 UNDESIRABLE
2.6 33 5 VERY UNDESIRABLE
59 8 CANT CHOOSE
97 9 NA
30966 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2558
twokids DESIRABILITY OF TWO-KID FAMILY
C. A family with two children.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
27.6 358 1 VERY DESIRABLE
55.9 726 2 DESIRABLE
13.0 169 3 NEITHER
2.5 32 4 UNDESIRABLE
1.0 13 5 VERY UNDESIRABLE
48 8 CANT CHOOSE
68 9 NA
30966 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2559
threkids DESIRABILITY OF THREE-KID FAMILY
D. A family with three kids.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
16.7 214 1 VERY DESIRABLE
46.1 590 2 DESIRABLE
23.3 299 3 NEITHER
10.9 140 4 UNDESIRABLE
3.0 38 5 VERY UNDESIRABLE
57 8 CANT CHOOSE
76 9 NA
30966 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2560
fourkids DESIRABILITY OF 4+ KID FAMILY
E. A family with four children or more.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
12.2 154 1 VERY DESIRABLE
24.9 314 2 DESIRABLE
26.6 335 3 NEITHER
23.8 300 4 UNDESIRABLE
12.4 156 5 VERY UNDESIRABLE
84 8 CANT CHOOSE
71 9 NA
30966 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2561
kidtrble KIDS MORE TROUBLE THAN THEY'RE WORTH
Do you agree or disagree: A. Children are more trouble
than they are worth.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
1.3 18 1 STRONGLY AGREE
2.8 39 2 AGREE
9.2 127 3 NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE
39.9 550 4 DISAGREE
46.7 643 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
20 8 CANT CHOOSE
17 9 NA
30966 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2562
kidjoy KIDS ARE LIFE'S GREATEST JOY
B. Watching children grow up is life's greatest joy.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
38.5 1065 1 STRONGLY AGREE
46.0 1271 2 AGREE
11.4 314 3 NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE
3.2 88 4 DISAGREE
0.9 25 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
31 8 CANT CHOOSE
67 9 NA
29519 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2563
kidnofre KIDS INTERFERE WITH PARENTS' FREEDOM
C. Having children interferes too much with the
freedom of parents.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
1.4 39 1 STRONGLY AGREE
8.6 235 2 AGREE
14.7 402 3 NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE
51.3 1405 4 DISAGREE
24.0 658 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
43 8 CANT CHOOSE
79 9 NA
29519 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2564
kidless KIDLESS MARRIAGE IS INCOMPLETE
D. A marriage without children is not fully complete.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
14.5 196 1 STRONGLY AGREE
31.5 427 2 AGREE
23.9 324 3 NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE
22.5 305 4 DISAGREE
7.5 102 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
44 8 CANT CHOOSE
16 9 NA
30966 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2565
kidfin BETTER NOT TO HAVE KIDS DUE TO $ BURDEN
E. It is better not to have children because they are
such heavy financial burdens.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
1.2 16 1 STRONGLY AGREE
3.0 41 2 AGREE
10.4 143 3 NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE
48.7 670 4 DISAGREE
36.8 506 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
22 8 CANT CHOOSE
16 9 NA
30966 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2566
kidempty KIDLESS PEOPLE LEAD EMPTY LIVES
F. People who have never had children lead empty
lives.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
6.0 163 1 STRONGLY AGREE
17.2 465 2 AGREE
27.6 746 3 NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE
35.2 951 4 DISAGREE
13.9 374 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
91 8 CANT CHOOSE
71 9 NA
29519 . (No Data)
-----
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2567
divnow HOW EASY IS IT TO GET A DIVORCE TODAY
In general, would you say that the law now makes it
easy or difficult for people who want to get divorced?
PCT N VALUE LABEL
42.7 572 1 VERY EASY
33.1 443 2 FAIRLY EASY
14.7 197 3 NEITHER
5.6 75 4 FAIRLY DIFFICULT
3.9 52 5 VERY DIFFICULT
45 8 CANT CHOOSE
30 9 NA
30966 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2568
divnokid HOW EZ SHOULD DIVORCE BE FOR KIDLESS
And in general, how easy or difficult do you think the
law should make it for couples without young children
to get a divorce?
PCT N VALUE LABEL
17.9 234 1 VERY EASY
22.1 289 2 FAIRLY EASY
32.2 420 3 NEITHER
18.2 237 4 FAIRLY DIFFICULT
9.6 125 5 VERY DIFFICULT
79 8 CANT CHOOSE
30 9 NA
30966 . (No Data)
-----
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2569
divifkid HOW EZ SHOULD DIVORCE BE IF KID(S)
And what about couples with young children? How easy
or difficult should the law make it for them to get a
divorce?
PCT N VALUE LABEL
4.5 59 1 VERY EASY
10.2 134 2 FAIRLY EASY
32.4 425 3 NEITHER
28.1 368 4 FAIRLY DIFFICULT
24.8 325 5 VERY DIFFICULT
76 8 CANT CHOOSE
27 9 NA
30966 . (No Data)
-----
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2570
divkids KIDS BETTER IF BAD MARRGE ENDED BY DIV
When a marriage is troubled and unhappy, do you think
it is generally better for the children if the couple
stays together or gets divorced?
PCT N VALUE LABEL
22.2 238 1 MUCH BETTER TO DIV
50.0 536 2 BETTER TO DIVORCE
18.1 194 3 WORSE TO DIVORCE
9.8 105 4 MUCH WORSE TO DIV
315 8 CANT CHOOSE
26 9 NA
30966 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 4
Input location: 1/2571
divwife WIFE BETTER IF BAD MARRGE ENDED BY DIV
And when a marriage is troubled and unhappy, is it
generally better for the wife if the couple stays
together or gets divorced?
PCT N VALUE LABEL
21.9 232 1 MUCH BETTER TO DIV
52.7 558 2 BETTER TO DIVORCE
17.5 185 3 WORSE TO DIVORCE
7.8 83 4 MUCH WORSE TO DIV
326 8 CANT CHOOSE
30 9 NA
30966 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 4
Input location: 1/2572
divhubby HUSB BETTER IF BAD MARRGE ENDED BY DIV
And when a marriage is troubled and unhappy, is it
generally better for the husband if the couple stays
together or gets divorced?
PCT N VALUE LABEL
22.1 234 1 MUCH BETTER TO DIV
53.8 571 2 BETTER TO DIVORCE
17.0 180 3 WORSE TO DIVORCE
7.2 76 4 MUCH WORSE TO DIV
322 8 CANT CHOOSE
31 9 NA
30966 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 4
Input location: 1/2573
mawork14 DID MOM WORK BEFORE R WAS 14 YRS OLD
Did your mother ever work for pay for as long as one
year after you were born and before you were 14?
PCT N VALUE LABEL
50.5 1406 1 YES
47.6 1324 2 NO
1.9 52 3 DIDNT LIVE WITH MOM
6 8 DK
73 9 NA
29519 . (No Data)
-----
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 3
Input location: 1/2574
evdiv HAS R EVER BEEN DIVORCED
Were you ever divorced?
PCT N VALUE LABEL
27.4 771 1 YES
56.6 1593 2 NO
16.1 452 3 NEVER MARRIED
45 9 NA
29519 . (No Data)
-----
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0,9
Decimals: 0 Max: 3
Input location: 1/2575
spevdiv HAS RS CURRENT SPOUSE BEEN DIVORCED
Was your (current) spouse ever divorced?
PCT N VALUE LABEL
16.3 388 1 YES
60.5 1440 2 NO
23.3 554 3 NOT MARRIED
1 8 DK
478 9 NA
29519 . (No Data)
-----
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 3
Input location: 1/2576
cohabit DID R LIVE WITH SPOUSE BEFORE MARRIAGE
Did you live with your husband/wife before you got
married?
PCT N VALUE LABEL
26.4 389 1 YES
73.6 1084 2 NO
26 9 NA
30881 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0,9
Decimals: 0 Max: 2
Input location: 1/2577
rwrknokd DID R WORK AFTR MARRGE BUT BEFORE KIDS
PLEASE ANSWER THIS QUESTION IS YOU ARE A MARRIED WOMAN
WHO HAS HAD CHILDREN. Did you work outside the home
full-time, part-time, or not at all after marrying and
before you had children?
PCT N VALUE LABEL
75.4 992 1 YES, FULL-TIME
7.9 104 2 YES,PART-TIME
16.7 219 3 NO
94 8 DOESNT APPLY
371 9 NA
30600 . (No Data)
-----
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 3
Input location: 1/2578
rwrkbaby DID R WORK WHEN KID WAS PRESCHOOLER
And what about when a child was under school age?
PCT N VALUE LABEL
49.9 656 1 YES, FULL-TIME
15.4 203 2 YES,PART-TIME
34.6 455 3 NO
77 8 DOESNT APPLY
389 9 NA
30600 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 3
Input location: 1/2579
rwrksch DID R WORK AFTER YOUNGEST IN SCHOOL
After the youngest child started school?
PCT N VALUE LABEL
63.5 722 1 YES, FULL-TIME
17.6 200 2 YES,PART-TIME
18.9 215 3 NO
244 8 DOESNT APPLY
399 9 NA
30600 . (No Data)
-----
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 3
Input location: 1/2580
rwrkgrwn DID R WORK AFTER KIDS LEFT HOME
And how about after the children left home?
PCT N VALUE LABEL
72.9 578 1 YES, FULL-TIME
12.5 99 2 YES,PART-TIME
14.6 116 3 NO
548 8 DOESNT APPLY
439 9 NA
30600 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 3
Input location: 1/2581
earnsmor HUBBY OR WIFE EARNS MORE $
PLEASE ANSWER THIS QUESTION IF YOU ARE MARRIED AND
BOTH OF YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING FOR PAY. Who earns
more money?
PCT N VALUE LABEL
55.5 421 1 HUSBAND, MUCH MORE
19.4 147 2 HUSBAND, BIT MORE
12.1 92 3 SAME FOR BOTH
8.6 65 4 WIFE, BIT MORE
4.4 33 5 WIFE, MUCH MORE
31 9 NA
31591 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2582
fewrksup DO MOST WOMEN WORK TO SUPPORT FAMILY
PCT N VALUE LABEL
28.3 403 1 STRONGLY AGREE
56.2 800 2 AGREE
8.6 122 3 NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE
5.4 77 4 DISAGREE
1.5 21 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
9 8 CAN'T CHOOSE
15 9 NA
30933 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2583
hubbywk1 MEN SHOULD EARN MONEY WOMEN KEEP HOUSE
PCT N VALUE LABEL
5.4 76 1 STRONGLY AGREE
16.1 227 2 AGREE
19.2 271 3 NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE
38.5 544 4 DISAGREE
20.9 296 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
8 8 CAN'T CHOOSE
25 9 NA
30933 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2584
mrmom GENDER ROLE REVERSAL HURTS FAMILY
PCT N VALUE LABEL
7.0 99 1 STRONGLY AGREE
16.4 231 2 AGREE
20.7 291 3 NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE
39.9 560 4 DISAGREE
15.9 224 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
16 8 CAN'T CHOOSE
26 9 NA
30933 . (No Data)
-----
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2585
meovrwrk MEN HURT FAMILY WHEN FOCUS ON WORK TOO M
PCT N VALUE LABEL
8.8 122 1 STRONGLY AGREE
50.1 695 2 AGREE
20.6 286 3 NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE
17.5 243 4 DISAGREE
3.0 41 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
33 8 CAN'T CHOOSE
27 9 NA
30933 . (No Data)
-----
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2586
singlpar SINGLE PARENTS CAN RAISE KIDS AS WELL AS
Do you agree or disagree...
A. One parent can bring up a child as well as
two parents together.
PCT N VALUE LABEL
8.8 124 1 STRONGLY AGREE
27.3 387 2 AGREE
14.3 203 3 NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE
38.3 542 4 DISAGREE
11.2 159 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
10 8 CAN'T CHOOSE
22 9 NA
30933 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2587
cohabok LIVING TOGETHER AS AN ACCEPTABLE OPTION
PCT N VALUE LABEL
10.0 140 1 STRONGLY AGREE
31.8 447 2 AGREE
16.5 232 3 NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE
25.4 357 4 DISAGREE
16.2 228 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
18 8 CAN'T CHOOSE
25 9 NA
30933 . (No Data)
-----
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2588
cohabfst PEOPLE SHOULD LIVE TOGETHER BEFORE MARRI
PCT N VALUE LABEL
10.1 141 1 STRONGLY AGREE
23.6 330 2 AGREE
23.7 332 3 NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE
27.4 383 4 DISAGREE
15.2 213 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
25 8 CAN'T CHOOSE
23 9 NA
30933 . (No Data)
-----
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2589
divbest DIVORCE AS BEST SOLUTION TO MARITAL PROB
PCT N VALUE LABEL
9.1 126 1 STRONGLY AGREE
39.4 548 2 AGREE
19.5 272 3 NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE
24.0 334 4 DISAGREE
8.0 112 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
33 8 CAN'T CHOOSE
22 9 NA
30933 . (No Data)
-----
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2590
divifkd1 SHOULD FEUDING PARENTS STAY TOGETHER FOR
PCT N VALUE LABEL
2.7 36 1 STRONGLY AGREE
12.8 173 2 AGREE
17.1 231 3 NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE
49.0 662 4 DISAGREE
18.4 248 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
47 8 CAN'T CHOOSE
50 9 NA
30933 . (No Data)
-----
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2591
divnokd1 CHILDLESS COUPLES STAY MARRIED EVEN WITH
PCT N VALUE LABEL
1.8 24 1 STRONGLY AGREE
6.0 82 2 AGREE
10.1 137 3 NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE
52.8 718 4 DISAGREE
29.3 399 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
38 8 CAN'T CHOOSE
49 9 NA
30933 . (No Data)
-----
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2592
livnowed DID R LIVE WITH PARTNER BEFORE MARRIAGE
PCT N VALUE LABEL
16.4 215 1 YES, WITH A PREVIOUS PARTNER
4.0 53 2 YES, WITH MY PRESENT PARTNER
3.1 41 3 YES, WITH PREVIOUS AND PRESENT PARTNER
76.4 1001 4 NO, NEVER
137 9 NA
30933 . (No Data)
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32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 4
Input location: 1/2593
mapaid SHOULD WORKING WOMEN HAVE PAID MATERNITY
PCT N VALUE LABEL
28.6 384 1 STRONGLY AGREE
47.2 633 2 AGREE
11.0 148 3 NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE
11.2 150 4 DISAGREE
1.9 26 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
26 8 CAN'T CHOOSE
80 9 NA
30933 . (No Data)
-----
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2594
chldcare SHOULD FAMILIES GET BENEFITS IF BOTH PAR
PCT N VALUE LABEL
15.3 204 1 STRONGLY AGREE
30.6 407 2 AGREE
19.6 261 3 NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE
29.2 389 4 DISAGREE
5.3 71 5 STRONGLY DISAGREE
35 8 CAN'T CHOOSE
80 9 NA
30933 . (No Data)
-----
32380 cases
Type: numeric Min: 1 MD Codes: 0
Decimals: 0 Max: 5
Input location: 1/2595
1972-1994 General Social Survey Cumulative File