Asterisk Table | National Longitudinal Survey of Youth | 1997

This page presents tables summarizing selected topics and variables from the NLSY97 surveys. (Use the drop-down menu to select topics of interest.) The tables list individual items or groups of related items, with columns indicating the survey round in which the item(s) are available. Both survey questions and created variables are included. "R" used in variable descriptions stands for "respondent." "Y" used in variable descriptions stands for "youth." Users are encouraged to consult the questionnaires for exact question wording in each survey round.


Table codes: The most common table code is an asterisk. This means that the variable was included in the questionnaire in the associated round. For round 1, a letter code indicates which questionnaire included a given item/set of items; Y=Youth Questionnaire, P=Parent Questionnaire, S=Screener, Household Roster, and Nonresident Roster Questionnaire. A number with the symbol ≥ or = in front of it (such as ≥15) indicates the question was asked in the questionnaire to an age-restricted subsample. In rounds 2-5, U=Household Income Update.


V. Family Formation (age restrictions as of end of previous calendar year--12/31/96 in R1, 12/31/97 in R2, and so on)

A. Marital history

Variable R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R13 R14 R15 R16 R17 R18 R19 R20
Spells Y married or lived with sexual partner Y≥16 ≥16 ≥16 ≥16 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Y's current marital status Y≥16 ≥16 ≥16 ≥16 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Duration of Y's and partner's cohabitation Y≥16 ≥16 ≥16 ≥16 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Current partner's age, race, highest grade completed, degree earned, and labor market status (from HH roster; only in R 2-6 if new to HH) Y * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Demographic characteristics of noncurrent partner (new since last interview) Y≥16 ≥16 ≥16 ≥16 * * * * * * * * * * * *  * * * *
Partner's religion Y≥16 ≥16 ≥16 ≥16 * * * * * * * * * * * *  * * * *
Partner enrolled in government program Y≥16 ≥16 ≥16 ≥16 * * * * * * * * * * * *  * * * *
Changes in relationship status Y≥16 ≥16 ≥16 ≥16 * * * * * * * * * * * *  * * * *
Y's and partner's relationship quality (questions vary) Y≥16     ≥16 * * * * * * * *                

B. Fertility and children

Variable R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R13 R14 R15 R16 R17 R18 R19 R20
Number, sex, and ages of biological children S,Y * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  *  * * * *
Number, sex, and ages of adopted children4 S,Y * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  *  * * * *
Number and outcome of pregnancies not ending in live births Y≥14 ≥14 * * * * * * * * * * * * *  *  * * * *
Fertility expectations                         * * *       *  
Infertility details                         * *            
Current residence of live biological or adopted children4 Y * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  *  * * * *
Y has legal responsibility for or custody of biological or adopted child4 Y * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  *  * * * *
Male youths: has Y gotten someone pregnant, number, outcome   * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  *  * * * *
Male youths: quality of relationship with child's mother       * * * * * * * * * * * *  *  * * * *
Female youths: quality of relationship with child's father         * * * * * * * * * * *  * * * *
Male youths: current economic status of child's mother, amount of informal child support       * * * * * * * * * * * *  *  * * * *
Female youths: current economic status of child's father, amount of informal child support         * * * * * * * * * * *  *  * * * *
Male youths: contact with resident and nonresident children       * * * * * * * * * * * *  *  * * * *
Race, age, highest grade completed, welfare recipiency, school enrollment, religion, and labor force status of other parent at conception (if not already collected in household roster or marriage section) Y * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  *  * *    
4 In round 1, information on adopted children was collected only if such children were reported on the household or nonresident rosters; otherwise, an age filter made these questions impossible to reach. In rounds 2 through 4, these questions were asked only of respondents who reported an adopted child on the household or nonresident roster or who were age 17 or older as of the end of the previous calendar year.

C. Childcare

Variable R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R13 R14 R15 R16 R17 R18 R19 R20
1. Female youths with at least one resident child under the age of 13
Hours spent at work, at school, at training, or commuting in a typical week         * * * * * * * * * * *  *  * * * *
Type of childcare         * * * * * * * * * * *  *  * * * *
Hours spouse/partner cared for child         *       *     *     *    *      
Specify relatives who care for child, location of this care         *       *     *     *    *      
Hours spent in each type of childcare         *       *     *     *    *      
Payment details (total amount, amount of funding from outside source)         * * * * * * * * * * *  *  * * * *
Who most often dropped off and picked up child at childcare, travel time         *       *     *     *    *      
2. Female youths with children who did not use child care
# of relatives living close to youth's home         *       *     *     *    *      
These relatives able to care for child without or with pay, amount would need         *       *     *     *    *      
Amount expect to pay or be willing to pay for outside care provider         *       *     *     *    *      
3. Female youths born in 1983 or 1984 without children
# of relatives living close to Y's home         *       *     *     *    *      
Any relatives be able to care for child         *       *     *     *    *      
Amount expect to pay or be willing to pay for outside care provider         *       *     *     *    *