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National Longitudinal Survey of Mature and Young Women (NLSW)
NLSY97
NLSY79
NLSCYA
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Asterisk Tables

Choose a sub-cohort to view tables summarizing selected variables from the Mature Women and the Young Women surveys. The tables list individual items or groups of related items with asterisks in the year columns indicating the survey years in which the variable(s) are available.

Consult the NLSW Questionnaires in the Other Documentation section for exact question wording in each survey round.

Young Women Variables by Survey Year: Respondents Ages 14 to 24 in 1968

The selected variables for the Young Women asterisk tables are grouped into three main categories:

  1. Labor market experience variables
  2. Human capital and other socioeconomic variables
  3. Environmental variables

Important information: Viewing asterisk tables

  • Click a topic below to expand and collapse the corresponding asterisk table.
  • Scroll right to view additional table columns or click the link at the bottom of the table to open in a new window.

I. Labor market experience variables

Table 1. Young Women: Current labor force and employment status variables by year

Variable

 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1975 1977 1978 1980 1982 1983 1985 1987 1988 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003
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) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Table 2. Young Women: Characteristics of current or last job variables by year

Variable

 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1975 1977 1978 1980 1982 1983 1985 1987 1988 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003
Occupation, industry, class of worker * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Start date and stop date * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hours per week usually worked * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Work schedule (worked and preferred)                   *           *   *        
Shift worked         * *     *   * * * * * * * * * * * *
Fringe benefits available                 *     * * * * * * * * * * *
Detailed fringe benefit series                               *   * * * * *
Hourly rate of pay *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Work at home for employer                             * * * * * * * *
Promotions (any, effects)                             * * * * * * * *
Firm size                             * * * * * * * *
Supervises others                             * * * * * * * *
Displaced worker                             * * * * * * * *
Commuting time, costs *         *     *     *           *        
Type of training for this job                     *                      
Covered by collective bargaining     * * * *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Is R union member     * * * *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Did R ever hold unionized job                           *                

Table 3. Young Women: Work experience prior to initial survey variables by year

Variable

 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1975 1977 1978 1980 1982 1983 1985 1987 1988 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003
Occupation and industry of job held during last year of high school *                                          
Occupation, industry, class of worker, start date, stop date, and reason for leaving first job after school *                                          

Table 4. Young Women: Work experience since previous survey variables by year

Variable

 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1975 1977 1978 1980 1982 1983 1985 1987 1988 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003
Interfirm mobility (details vary)   * * * * * * * * * * * *                  
Occupation, industry, class of worker, hours per week, start date, stop date, and reason for leaving intervening jobs (through 1983) or employers (beginning in 1988) (details vary)   * * * * *     *     *     * * * * * * * *

II. Human capital and other socioeconomic variables

Table 5. Young Women: Early formative influences variables by year

Variable

 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1975 1977 1978 1980 1982 1983 1985 1987 1988 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003
Age or date of birth * * * * * * * * *   *       * *   * * * * *
Nationality or ethnicity *                               * * * *    
Type of residence at age 14 and age 18 *                                          
Person(s) R lived with at age 14 *       *                                  
Occupation of household head when R was 14 *                                          
Highest grade completed by father *               *                          
Highest grade completed by mother *                                          
Were magazines, newspapers, and library cards available in home at age 14 *                                          
Parental encouragement to continue education past high school       * *                                  

Table 6. Young Women: Migration variables by year

Variable

 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1975 1977 1978 1980 1982 1983 1985 1987 1988 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003
Years at current residence *                                          
Geographic mobility (details vary) * * * * * *     *     *     * * * * *      
Comparison of birthplace to current residence *                                          

Table 7. Young Women: Education variables by year

Variable

 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1975 1977 1978 1980 1982 1983 1985 1987 1988 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003
Current enrollment status * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Highest grade completed * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Reason stopped attending high school * * * * * *                                
Is current school public * * * * * *     *                          
High school curriculum * * * * * *                                
High school subjects enjoyed most and least *                                          
High school activities *                                          
Index of high school quality *                                          
Index of college quality     *   *                                  
College attended, highest degree received, field of study * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
College tuition (full-time amount) * * * * * *     *                          
College financial aid types, amount * * * * * * * * *                          
Reason R left college   * * * * *                                
Reason R's college plans have changed   * * * * *                                
Math courses in high school                       *                    

Table 8. Young Women: Training outside regular school variables by year

Variable

 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1975 1977 1978 1980 1982 1983 1985 1987 1988 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003
Any training or educational program (did R take, did R complete, type, sponsor, reason took, duration, hours per week, reason not completed) * * * * * * * * *                 * * * * *
Other training or educational program (did R take, did R complete, type, apprenticeship program, sponsor, reason took, duration, hours per week)                   * * * * * * * * * * * * *
On-the-job training (did R take, did R complete, duration, hours per week attended)                   * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Program enrolled in at last interview (type, did R complete, duration)                     * * * * * * * * * * * *
Training used on current job (universes vary) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Table 9. Young Women: Health and physical condition variables by year

Variable

 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1975 1977 1978 1980 1982 1983 1985 1987 1988 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003
Comparison of R's condition with past     * *   *     *     *     * * * * * * * *
Does health limit work *   * *   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Does health limit school activity *   * *   *                                
Does health limit housework *     *   *       * *   * *                
Duration of health limitations *   * *   * * * *     *     * * * * * * * *
Problematic activities (stooping, kneeling, and so forth)       *         *     *     * *   *       *
Problematic working conditions (noise, heat, and so forth)                 *     *     * *            
Accidents (on-the-job, how, when)                 *                          
Does health permit going outdoors, using public transportation, or personal care       *         *     *     *              
Does others' health limit R's work           *     *     *     *   *   * * * *
Insurance coverage of R and family members                             * * * * * * * *
Cigarette; alcohol use                               * * * * * * *
Height and weight (details vary)                               *   *        
Menopausal status and hormone use                                   * * * * *
Extent to which R drives an automobile                                   *        
Types of health conditions (cancer, diabetes, and so forth)                               *   * * * * *
Prescription drug expenses                                           *
Any medication for mental conditions                                           *
Any exercise during past month                                           *
Pet ownership                                           *

Table 10. Young Women: Marital and family characteristics variables by year

Variable

 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1975 1977 1978 1980 1982 1983 1985 1987 1988 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003
Marital status * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Husband's attitude toward R's working *       *       *     *                    
Marital history           *     *   * * * * * * * * * * * *
New information or update on all children born or adopted           *     *     * * * * * * *       *
Number of dependents * * * * * *     *   * * * * * * *          
Parents (weeks worked, full-time, occupation) * * *   * *                 *              
Number and ages of children in household * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Any children in college last 12 months; amount of support from R and spouse                               * * * *   * *
Childcare arrangements (type, cost) (universes and details vary) * * * * *   * * *     *     * * * *        
Number of children R expects and number R considers ideal       *   *     *   * * * * * *            
Family or household (starting in 1988) members: Relationship to R, sex, age, education, employment status * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Unrelated household members: Relationship to R, age, sex                 *   * * * *                
Household activities: Responsibility, hours per week spent             *   *   * *   *                
Did R's husband ever have a unionized job                           *       *        
Did R's father ever have a unionized job                           *                
Responsibility for care of chronically ill or disabled                           *   * * * * * * *

Table 11. Young Women:Characteristics of respondent's husband/partner, beginning in 1995

Variable

 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1975 1977 1978 1980 1982 1983 1985 1987 1988 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003
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 1990-92                                 *          
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)                 * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Husband's health limits work, limitations *   * *   *     *     *     *   * * * * * *

Table 12. Young Women: Questions asked of widows by year

Variable

 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1975 1977 1978 1980 1982 1983 1985 1987 1988 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003
Husband's medical care in 12 months before death                                   * * * * *
How medical costs were paid                                   * * * * *
R's care of husband                                   * * * * *
Financial assistance to R from family members                                   * * * * *
Death benefits paid to R (amount, source, lump sum or periodic payment)                                   * * * * *

Table 13. Young Women: Financial characteristics variables by year

Variable

 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1975 1977 1978 1980 1982 1983 1985 1987 1988 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003
Total net family assets *     * * *     *     *     *   * * * * * *
Total family income * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Income from farm or business * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Wage or salary income * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Unemployment compensation income * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Supplemental unemployment benefits income                 *     *     * * * * * * * *
Disability income                 *     *     * * * * * * * *
Rental income                 *     *     * * * * * * * *
Interest or dividend income                 *     *     * * * * * * * *
Total market value of Food Stamps received                 * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Income from AFDC/TANF                 *     *     * * * * * * * *
Income received from public assistance                 * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Income from Social Security or Railroad Retirement                       *     * * * * * * * *
Pension income                                 * * * * * *
Alimony payments                   * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Child support payments                   * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Financial assistance received from others * * * * * *       * *   *       * * * * * *
Income from other sources * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

H = Respondent's husband

Table 14. Young Women: Transfers variables by year

Variable

 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1975 1977 1978 1980 1982 1983 1985 1987 1988 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003

Variable
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                                     *   * *
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                                       *   *
If R has a mother in the Mature Women cohort:

Mother's marital status

                                       *    

Amount of mother's and mother's husband assets and debts

                                       *    

Transfers of time to and from R and mother

                                       *    

Transfers of money to and from R and mother

                                       *    

Table 15. Young Women: Attitudes and perspectives variables by year

Variable

 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1975 1977 1978 1980 1982 1983 1985 1987 1988 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003
How R feels about job * * * * * *     * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
What R likes best and least about job * * * * * *     * * * *     *              
Attitude toward homemaking                 * *   *     *              
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 *       *       *     *     *              
Facet-Specific Job Satisfaction Index                   *                        
Would R like more education or training * * * * * *     *                          
Educational goal * * * * * *     *                          
What would R like to be doing when 35 years old * * * * * * * * * * * * *                  
What would R like to be doing when 50 years old and 5 years from now                     * * * *                
Knowledge of World of Work score   *                                        
Rotter Internal-External Locus of Control score (shortened version in 2001)     *     *     *     *     *           *  
CES-Depression Scale                                 * * * * * *
Way feeling these days                   * *   * * * * * * * * * *
IQ score *                                          
Discrimination ever experienced, type (expanded in 1988)         *       * * * *     *     *     *  
Has R progressed, held own, or moved backward           *     *     *                    
Attitudes toward retirement                                   * * * * *
Opinions on hypothetical Social Security reform                                           *

Table 16. Young Women: Retirement variables by year

Variable

 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1975 1977 1978 1980 1982 1983 1985 1987 1988 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003
Would R accept * * * * * * * * *     *     *              
Hours per week would work * * * * * * * * *     *     *              
Rate of pay, kind of work required * * * * * * * * *     *     *              

Table 17. Young Women: Hypothetical job offer variables by year

Variable

 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1975 1977 1978 1980 1982 1983 1985 1987 1988 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003
Did any unpaid volunteer work           *     *           * *           *
Hours per week worked, organization           *     *           * *           *
Why volunteered           *     *                         *

Table 18. Young Women: Volunteer work variables by year

Variable

 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1975 1977 1978 1980 1982 1983 1985 1987 1988 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003
Expected age at retirement                                   *        
Characteristics of current employer's pension plan                               *   * * * * *
R's knowledge of employer's pension plan                                   * * * * *
Eligible for other pensions, type, number of years worked on jobs                                   *        
Eligible for spouse's benefits                                   * * * * *
Spouse eligible for other retirement benefits, type                                   *        
R and spouse have personal retirement plan                                   * * * * *
Sources of retirement income                                   *        
Retirement health insurance coverage                                   * * * * *
Detailed pension plan coverage                                   * * * * *

III. Environmental variables

Table 19. Young Women: Residence variables by year

Variable

 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1975 1977 1978 1980 1982 1983 1985 1987 1988 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003
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                               * * * * * * *

Table 20. Young Women: Environmental characteristics variables by year

Variable

 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1975 1977 1978 1980 1982 1983 1985 1987 1988 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003
Size of local area labor force * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *              
Local area unemployment rate * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *              
Index of demand for female labor * * * * * *                                
Accredited college in local area * * *