Asterisk

This page presents two tables summarizing selected variables from the Young Women and the Mature Women surveys (use the drop-down menu to select either the YW or MW table). The tables list individual items or groups of related items, with asterisks in the year columns indicating the survey years in which the variables(s) are available. Users are encouraged to consult the questionnaires for exact question wording in each survey round.

Selected Mature Women Variables by Survey Year

I. Labor Market Experience Variables

A. Current labor force and employment status

Variable 67 68 69 71 72 74 76 77 79 81 82 84 86 87 89 92 95 97 99 01 03
Survey week labor force and employment status * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hours worked in survey week *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Weeks worked (time frames vary) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Usual hours worked during weeks worked * * *     * *                   * * * * *
Weeks unemployed (time frames vary) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spells of unemployment in past year *   * * *     *     *     *     * * * * *
Weeks out of labor force (time frames vary) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

B. Characteristics of current or last job

Variable 67 68 69 71 72 74 76 77 79 81 82 84 86 87 89 92 95 97 99 01 03
Occupation, industry, class of worker * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Start date and stop date *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hours per week usually worked *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hourly rate of pay *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Commuting time, costs *   *   *     *     *     * *   *        
Covered by collective bargaining       * *     *     *     * * * * * * * *
Is R union member       * *     *     *     * * * * * * * *
Work for employer at home                             * * * * * * *
Firm size                             * * * * * * *
Shift worked         *     * *   *     * *   * * * * *
Fringe benefits available               *     *     * *   * * * * *
Displaced worker                           * *   * * * * *
Supervises others                           * * * * * * * *

C. Work experience prior to initial survey

Variable 67 68 69 71 72 74 76 77 79 81 82 84 86 87 89 92 95 97 99 01 03
Occupation, industry, class of worker, start date, stop date, and reason for leaving (series):
First job after leaving school (never-married R's) *                                        
Longest job since leaving school (never-married R's) *                                        
Longest job between school and marriage *                                        
Longest job between marriage and first birth *                                        
Longest job since first birth *                                        
Number of years since leaving school in which R worked 6 months or more *                                        

D. Work experience since previous survey

Variable 67 68 69 71 72 74 76 77 79 81 82 84 86 87 89 92 95 97 99 01 03
Occupation, industry, class of worker, hours per week, start date, stop date, and reason for leaving intervening jobs (through 1987) or employers (beginning in 1989) (details vary)   * * * *     *     *     * * * * * * * *
Interfirm mobility (details vary)   * * * * * * * * * * * * *              
Promotions (any, effects)                       * * * *   * * * * *

II. Human Capital and Other Socioeconomic Variables

A. Early formative influences

Variable 67 68 69 71 72 74 76 77 79 81 82 84 86 87 89 92 95 97 99 01 03
Age or date of birth *                 *       * *   * * * * *
Nationality or ethnicity *                               * * *    
Type of residence at age 15 *                                        
Person(s) R lived with at age 15 *                                        
Occupation of head of household when R was 15 *                                        
Highest grade completed by father and mother *                                        
Occupation of mother when R was 15 *                                        

B. Migration

Variable 67 68 69 71 72 74 76 77 79 81 82 84 86 87 89 92 95 97 99 01 03
Years at current residence *                                        
Comparison of birthplace to current residence *                                        
Geographic mobility (details vary) *   * * *     *     *       * * * *      

C. Education

Variable 67 68 69 71 72 74 76 77 79 81 82 84 86 87 89 92 95 97 99 01 03
Current enrollment status               *           * *   * * * * *
Highest grade completed *             *           * *   * * * * *
High school curriculum *                                        
Year of high school diploma or GED               *   *             * * * * *
Math courses taken in high school                   *                      
College (attended, duration, hours per week attended, field of study, highest degree received)               * * * * * * * *   * * * * *

D. Training

Variable 67 68 69 71 72 74 76 77 79 81 82 84 86 87 89 92 95 97 99 01 03
On-the-job training (did R take, duration, hours per week, did R complete)                 * * * * * * *   * * * * *
Additional or other training or educational program (type, sponsor, duration, hours per week attended, reason took, did R complete, certificate, use on job) *   * * *       * * * * * * *   * * * * *

E. Health and physical condition

Variable 67 68 69 71 72 74 76 77 79 81 82 84 86 87 89 92 95 97 99 01 03
Self-rating of health *                       *     * * * * * *
Comparison of R's condition with past     * *       *     *   *   *   * * * * *
Does health limit work or housework *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Duration of health limitations *     *       *     *     * * * * * * * *
Problematic activities (stooping, kneeling, and so forth)       *       *     *     * *     * * * *
Problematic working conditions (noise, smoke, and so forth)       *       *     *     * *     *      
Alcohol and cigarette use                             *   * * * * *
Height and weight (details vary)                               * * * * * *
Menopausal status and hormone use during menopause                                 * * * * *
Extent R drives an automobile                                 * * * * *
Types of health conditions (cancer, diabetes, and so forth)                                 * * * * *
Insurance coverage (R's, other family members')                         *   * * * * * * *
Does others' health limit work (details vary) *   *           * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Accidents (on-the-job, how, when)               *     *     * *            
Is R able to go outdoors, use public transportation, or perform personal care without help       *       *     *     * *            
Is R able to go shopping, manage money, do light housework, do heavy housework                             *            
Any fractured bones in past 10 years                                         *
Prescription drug expenses                                         *
Any medication for mental conditions                                         *
Any exercise during past month                                         *
Pet ownership                                         *

F. Marital and family characteristics

Variable 67 68 69 71 72 74 76 77 79 81 82 84 86 87 89 92 95 97 99 01 03
Marital status *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Marital history (details vary) *             *     * * * * * * * * * * *
Husband's attitude toward R's working *       *     *     *     *              
Life status of R's and R's husband's parents *   * * *         *   *     * * * * * * *
Number of dependents *   * * *     * * * * * * * * *          
New information or update on all children born or adopted *             *     *           *        
Number and ages of children in household *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Childcare arrangements (type, cost, preferences, attitude toward, hypothetical use, effect on work) (details vary) *   * * *     *                 *        
Childcare (extent of responsibility)           * *     * * *                  
Any children in college last 12 months; amount of support from R and spouse                           * * * * *   * *
Family or household (starting in 1989) members: age, sex, relationship to R, education, employment status (details vary) *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Unrelated household members (relationship to R, sex, age)                     * * * *              
Household activities (responsibility for, attitude toward, hours per week spent on) (details vary) *         * *   * * * *   * *            
Responsibility for care of chronically ill or disabled                       *   * * * * * * * *
Frequency of contact with family and friends                   *                      

G. Characteristics of R's husband; characteristics of R's partner, beginning in 1995

Variable 67 68 69 71 72 74 76 77 79 81 82 84 86 87 89 92 95 97 99 01 03
Current labor force status                         *     * * * * * *
Usual weeks worked                               *          
Firm size                               *          
Covered by Social Security or Railroad Retirement                               *          
Covered by collective bargaining or union contract                               * * * * * *
Is spouse or partner union member                               * * * * * *
Job search activity in past month                                 * * * * *
Retirement plans, expectations, status                               * * * * * *
Weeks and hours worked 1982-86                               *          
Detailed information on employers since 1987 or since last interview (occupation, industry, class of worker, rate of pay, start and stop date, hours worked, shift worked)                               * * * * * *
Unemployment of husband (weeks)           * *   * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Does husband's health limit his work *   * *       * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Duration of husband's limitations *     *       *     * *   * * * * * * * *

H. Questions asked of widows

Variable 67 68 69 71 72 74 76 77 79 81 82 84 86 87 89 92 95 97 99 01 03
Husband's medical care in 12 months before death                                 * * * * *
How medical costs were paid                                 * * * * *
R's care of husband                                 * * * * *
Death benefits paid to R (amount, source, lump sum or periodic payment)                                 * * * * *
Financial assistance to R from family members                                 * * * * *

I. Financial characteristics

Variable 67 68 69 71 72 74 76 77 79 81 82 84 86 87 89 92 95 97 99 01 03
Total net family assets *     * *     *     *     * *   * * * * *
Total family income * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Income from farm or business *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Wage or salary income *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Unemployment compensation income *   * * *     * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Supplemental unemployment benefits income               *     *     * * * * * * * *
Income from public assistance *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Social Security income *   * * *     *     * * * * * * * * * * *
Pension income *   * * *     *     * * * * * * * * * * *
Disability income *   * * *     *     * * * * * * * * * * *
Rental income *   * * *     *     *     * * * * * * * *
Interest or dividend income *   * * *     *     *     * * * * * * * *
Total market value of Food Stamps received *   * * *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Income from AFDC/TANF *   * * *           *     * * * * * * * *
Alimony payments           * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Child support payments           * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Amount of financial assistance received from others                     * * * * *   * * * * *
Income from other sources *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

J. Transfers ("H" refers to "husband" of the respondent)

Variable 67 68 69 71 72 74 76 77 79 81 82 84 86 87 89 92 95 97 99 01 03
Life status of R's parents, age *   * * *         *   *     * *   *   * *
Cause of death of R's parents                               *          
Life status of H's parents, age *   * * *         *   *     *     *   *  
Health status of R's and H's parents                                   *   *  
Do R's or H's parents live in nursing home                                   *   *  
Marital status of R's and H's parents                                   *   *  
Distance R's and H's parents live from R                   *   *     *     *   *  
Yearly income of R's and H's parents                                   *      
Do R's and H's parents own home; value                                   *      
Amount of R's and H's parents' assets and debts                                   *   *  
Transfers of time to R's and H's parents                                   *   *  
Transfers of money to R's and H's parents                                   *   *  
Transfers of time from R's and H's parents                                       *  
Transfers of money from R's and H's parents                                       *  
Did R's parents have will                                   *   * *
Amount of parents' estate                                   *   * *
If R has a daughter in the Young Women cohort:
Transfers of time from daughter to R or H                                   *      
Transfers of money from daughter to R or H                                   *      
Sex, age and date of birth, highest grade completed of R's and H's children                                     *   *
Relationship of child(ren) to R                                     *   *
Residence of child(ren) and distance from R                                     *   *
Do child(ren) and child(ren)'s spouse own home; value                                     *   *
Amount of child(ren)'s assets and debts                                     *   *
Transfers of time to and from child(ren)                                     *   *
Transfers of money to and from child(ren)                                     *   *
Does R have will; who are beneficiaries                                     *   *

K. Attitudes and perspectives

Variable 67 68 69 71 72 74 76 77 79 81 82 84 86 87 89 92 95 97 99 01 03
How R feels about job *   * * *     * * * * * * * *   * * * * *
What does R like best and least about job *   * * *     * * * * * * * *            
Would R continue to work if had enough money to live on *   *   * * * *   * * * * *              
Which is more important: high wages or liking work *   *   *     *     *     *              
Attitude toward women working *       *     *     *     *              
Rotter Internal-External Locus of Control score (shortened version in 2001)     *   *     *                       *  
CES-Depression Scale                             *   * * * * *
Attitude toward women and retirement                             *   * * * *  
Way R is feeling these days                 * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Discrimination (R ever experienced, type, ways experienced, practiced by employers) (details vary)         *     *     *     * *   *     *  
Has R progressed, held own, or moved backward         *     *                          
Have job pressures increased, decreased, or remained the same         *     *                          
Job requirements, satisfaction, importance of work                               *          

L. Retirement

Variable 67 68 69 71 72 74 76 77 79 81 82 84 86 87 89 92 95 97 99 01 03
Expected age at retirement                 *   * * *       *        
Will R be eligible for Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits                 *   *   *   *            
Characteristics of current employer's pension plan                 *   *   *   * * * * * * *
R's knowledge of employer's pension plan                             * * * * * * *
Years employed in jobs covered by Social Security or Railroad Retirement                     * * *   *            
Eligible for other pensions, type, number of years worked on jobs                     *   *   * * *        
Eligible for spouse's benefits, type                     *   *   *   * * * * *
Expected age at retirement (spouse)                 *   * * *       *        
Spouse eligible for Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits                 *   *   *   *           *
Spouse eligible for other retirement benefits, type (details vary)                 *   *   *   * * *        
R and spouse have personal retirement plan (details vary)                     *   *     * *        
Sources of retirement income                 *   *   *   * * * * * * *
Retirement health insurance coverage                               * * * * * *
Detailed pension plan coverage                               * * * * * *
Pension plan characteristics data (SCF)                             *            

M. Hypothetical job offer

Variable 67 68 69 71 72 74 76 77 79 81 82 84 86 87 89 92 95 97 99 01 03
Would R accept *   * * * * * *   * * * *                
Hours per week would work *     * *   * *   * * * *                
Rate of pay required *     * *   * *   * * * *                
Kind of work desired *     * *     *     *                    

N. Volunteer work

Variable 67 68 69 71 72 74 76 77 79 81 82 84 86 87 89 92 95 97 99 01 03
Did any unpaid volunteer work           * *   * *   *                 *
Hours per week worked, organization           * *   * *   *                 *
Why volunteered           * *                           *

III. Environmental Variables

A. Residence

Variable 67 68 69 71 72 74 76 77 79 81 82 84 86 87 89 92 95 97 99 01 03
Region of residence (South or non-South) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Does R live in SMSA * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *            
Mover or nonmover status * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Comparison of State, county, SMSA * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *            
Comparison of State, county                               * * * * * *

B. Characteristics

Variable 67 68 69 71 72 74 76 77 79 81 82 84 86 87 89 92 95 97 99 01 03
Size of local area labor force * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *            
Local area unemployment rate * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *            
Index of demand for female labor *   * * *