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| Question | Source | Years | Waves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Happiness of marriage Would you say that your marriage is very happy, pretty happy, or not too happy? | GSS | 1973–2024 | 34 |
| Ideal number of children for a family What do you think is the ideal number of children for a family to have? | GSS | 1972–2024 | 31 |
| Whether divorce should be easier or harder to obtain A. Should divorce in this country be easier or more difficult to obtain than it is now? | GSS | 1974–2024 | 29 |
| Older people living with grown children As you know, many older people share a home with their grown children. Do you think this is generally a good idea or a bad idea? | GSS | 1973–2022 | 28 |
| Expects to have more children Do you expect to have any (more) children? | GSS | 1972–1994 | 16 |
| Number of additional children expected A. How many (more)? | GSS | 1972–1994 | 16 |
| More emphasis on traditional family ties would reduce problems (2000,2004: do you agree strongly, agree somewhat, neither agree nor disagree, disagree somewhat, or disagree strongly with this statement?) | ANES | 1986–2024 | 14 |
| Newer lifestyles contribute to breakdown of society (2000,2004: do you agree strongly, agree somewhat, neither agree nor disagree, disagree somewhat, or disagree strongly with this statement?) | ANES | 1986–2016 | 12 |
| Relatives who died in the last five years A. Death of relatives during the last five years. | GSS | 1978–1994 | 12 |
| Death of a sibling or sibling-in-law D. Death of sibling or sibling-in-law | GSS | 1978–1994 | 12 |
| Divorces in the last five years Divorces during the last five years. | GSS | 1978–1994 | 12 |
| Death of a child or child's spouse C. Death of child or child's spouse | GSS | 1978–1994 | 12 |
| Relatives who died since respondent turned 16 B. Number of relatives dying since respondent 16 years old and prior to the last five years. | GSS | 1978–1994 | 12 |
| Number of children expected in the next five years B. How many (more) in the next five years? | GSS | 1972–1983 | 8 |
| Happiness of relationship with partner B. Taking things all together, would you say that your relationship with your partner is very happy, pretty happy, or not too happy? | GSS | 2012–2024 | 7 |
| Lives with others because prefers it Prefer living with others - Are each of the following reasons why you live with these individuals? | Fed SHED | 2016–2022 | 6 |
| People who want children should marry F. People who want children ought to get married. | GSS | 1988–2022 | 5 |
| Living together without marriage is acceptable B. It is alright for a couple to live together without intending to get married. | GSS | 1994–2022 | 5 |
| Lives with others to receive help with child care To receive help with child care - You indicated that you live with (your parents, adult chidren who are not in school, you siblings, or) someone outside of your immediate family. Are each of the following reasons why you live with these individuals? | Fed SHED | 2016–2020 | 5 |
| Lives with others to care for family member or friend To care for family member or friend - You indicated that you live with (your parents, adult chidren who are not in school, you siblings, or) someone outside of your immediate family. Are each of the following reasons why you live with these individuals? | Fed SHED | 2016–2020 | 5 |
| Ideal number of children for a 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. | GSS | 1988–2022 | 4 |
| Children interfere with parents' freedom C. Having children interferes too much with the freedom of parents. | GSS | 1988–2022 | 4 |
| Married people happier than unmarried people A. Married people are generally happier than unmarried people. | GSS | 1988–2012 | 4 |
| Watching children grow up is life's greatest joy B. Watching children grow up is life's greatest joy. | GSS | 1988–2012 | 4 |
| Number of relatives divorced last year A. Number of relatives divorced last year. | GSS | 1978–1984 | 4 |
| Number of relatives divorced in previous four years B. Number of relatives divorced during previous four years. | GSS | 1978–1984 | 4 |
| Who is the primary caretaker of the children at home When it comes to taking care of your children when they are at home, which of the following statements best describes the caretaking responsibilities? | Fed SHED | 2023–2025 | 3 |
| Provides unpaid care to own parent Your parent - Do you regularly provide unpaid help or care to each of the following people due to aging, disability, or illness? | Fed SHED | 2023–2025 | 3 |
| Provides unpaid care to another relative Another relative - Do you regularly provide unpaid help or care to each of the following people due to aging, disability, or illness? | Fed SHED | 2023–2025 | 3 |
| Provides unpaid care to an adult child An adult child (age 18 or older) - Do you regularly provide unpaid help or care to each of the following people due to aging, disability, or illness? | Fed SHED | 2023–2025 | 3 |
| Provides unpaid care to spouse or partner Your spouse or partner- Do you regularly provide unpaid help or care to each of the following people due to aging, disability, or illness? | Fed SHED | 2023–2025 | 3 |
| Provides unpaid care to spouse's or partner's parent Your spouse's or partner's parent - Do you regularly provide unpaid help or care to each of the following people due to aging, disability, or illness? | Fed SHED | 2023–2025 | 3 |
| Provides regular unpaid care to an adult relative or friend Do you regularly provide unpaid help or care to an adult relative or friend who needs assistance due to aging, disability, or illness? | Fed SHED | 2023–2025 | 3 |
| Divorce laws (web, with volunteered response) Should divorce in this country be easier or more difficult to obtain than it is now? | GSS | 2021–2024 | 3 |
| Divorce laws (web, no volunteered response) Should divorce in this country be easier or more difficult to obtain than it is now? | GSS | 2021–2024 | 3 |
| Weekly hours spent on household work A. On average, how many hours a week do you personally spend on household work, not including childcare and leisure time activities? | GSS | 2002–2022 | 3 |
| Spouse's weekly hours of household work B. And what about your spouse/partner? On average, how many hours a week does he/she spend on household work, not including childcare or leisure time activities? | GSS | 2002–2022 | 3 |
| Lives with others for another reason [Other] Are each of the following reasons why you live with these individuals? | Fed SHED | 2016–2018 | 3 |
| Hardship from divorce [Divorce] Which of the following did you or your family living with you experience in the past year? | Fed SHED | 2013–2015 | 3 |
| One parent can raise a child as well as two A. One parent can bring up a child as well as two parents together. | GSS | 1994–2012 | 3 |
| Divorce as best solution to marital problems Divorce is usually the best solution when a couple can't seem to work out their marriage problems. | GSS | 1994–2012 | 3 |
| Desired time spent with family C. Time with your family? | GSS | 1989–2006 | 3 |
| Desired time spent on household work B. Time doing household work? | GSS | 1989–2006 | 3 |
| Couples should live together before marriage C. It's a good idea for a couple who intend to get married to live together first. | GSS | 1994–2002 | 3 |
| Bad marriage better than no marriage E. It is better to have a bad marriage than no marriage at all. | GSS | 1988–2002 | 3 |
| People without children lead empty lives F. People who have never had children lead empty lives. | GSS | 1988–2002 | 3 |
| Importance of being married B. Being married. | GSS | 1993–2025 | 2 |
| Used unpaid childcare from another relative in past week Another relative other than the parent - In the past week, did you use any of the following forms of unpaid childcare (select all that apply)? | Fed SHED | 2024–2025 | 2 |
| Hours of paid childcare used in the past week In the past week, how many hours did you use paid childcare? | Fed SHED | 2024–2025 | 2 |
| Importance of having children C. Having children. | GSS | 1993–2025 | 2 |
| Used unpaid childcare from child's sibling in past week Child's sibling - In the past week, did you use any of the following forms of unpaid childcare (select all that apply)? | Fed SHED | 2024–2025 | 2 |
| Used unpaid childcare from a friend or neighbor in past week A nonrelative such as a friend or neighbor - In the past week, did you use any of the following forms of unpaid childcare (select all that apply)? | Fed SHED | 2024–2025 | 2 |
| Used unpaid childcare from child's grandparent in past week Child's grandparent - In the past week, did you use any of the following forms of unpaid childcare (select all that apply)? | Fed SHED | 2024–2025 | 2 |
| Used paid childcare in the past week In the past week, did you use any paid childcare? | Fed SHED | 2024–2025 | 2 |
| Willingness to move next door to child's family A. How willing would you be to move next door to (John/Mary)'s family? -- definitely willing, probably willing, probably unwilling, or definitely unwilling? | GSS | 2002–2024 | 2 |
| Willingness to spend an evening with child's family B. How willing would you be to spend an evening socializing with (John/Mary)'s family? | GSS | 2002–2024 | 2 |
| Weekly hours spent looking after family members A. On average, how many hours a week do you spend looking after family members (e.g. children, elderly, ill or disabled family members)? | GSS | 2012–2022 | 2 |
| Having children increases social standing E. Having children increases people's social standing in society. | GSS | 2012–2022 | 2 |
| Older people living with grown children, volunteered option As you know, many older people share a home with their grown children. Do you think this is generally a good idea or a bad idea? | GSS | 2021–2022 | 2 |
| Living with family to help them financially To help them financially - You indicated that you live with (your parent(s) and/or your adult children who are not in school). Are each of the following reasons why you live with them? | Fed SHED | 2021–2022 | 2 |
| Older people living with grown children, no volunteered option As you know, many older people share a home with their grown children. Do you think this is generally a good idea or a bad idea? | GSS | 2021–2022 | 2 |
| Living with family to save money To save money - You indicated that you live with (your parent(s) and/or your adult children who are not in school). Are each of the following reasons why you live with them? | Fed SHED | 2021–2022 | 2 |
| Spouse's weekly hours looking after family members And on average, how many hours a week does he/she spend looking after family members (e.g. children, elderly, ill or disabled family members)? | GSS | 2012–2022 | 2 |
| Paid leave for new parents Consider a couple who both work full-time and now have a new born child. One of them stops working for some time to care for their child. Do you think there should be paid leave available and, if so, for how long? | GSS | 2012–2022 | 2 |
| Living with family to provide childcare or medical help To provide help with childcare or medical care - You indicated that you live with (your parent(s) and/or your adult children who are not in school). Are each of the following reasons why you live with them? | Fed SHED | 2021–2022 | 2 |
| Single mother can raise children as well as a couple G. A single mother can bring up her child as well as a married couple. | GSS | 1988–2022 | 2 |
| Single father can raise children as well as a couple H. A single father can bring up his child as well as a married couple. | GSS | 1988–2022 | 2 |
| Adult children's duty to look after elderly parents A. Adult children have a duty to look after their elderly parents | GSS | 2002–2018 | 2 |
| Fairness of household work sharing with spouse Which of the following best applies to the sharing of household work between you and your spouse/partner? | GSS | 2002–2012 | 2 |
| Separated from spouse or partner in past year 2. Separate from your husband/wife/partner. | GSS | 1991–2004 | 2 |
| Serious trouble with a child in past year 4. Have serious trouble with a child. | GSS | 1991–2004 | 2 |
| Serious trouble with spouse or partner in past year • Have serious trouble with your husband/wife/partner. | GSS | 1991–2004 | 2 |
| Broke up with boyfriend, girlfriend, or fiancé in past year 3. Break up with a steady boyfriend/girlfriend or fiance(e). | GSS | 1991–2004 | 2 |
| Child care benefits when both parents work B. Families should receive financial benefits for child care when both parents work. | GSS | 1994–2002 | 2 |
| Would like to marry if right person came along If the right person came along, would you like to be married? | GSS | 1996–1998 | 2 |
| Likelihood of marrying current partner How likely is it that you two will get married? Would you say that it is very likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely, or very unlikely? | GSS | 1996–1998 | 2 |
| Has a main romantic involvement Do you have a main romantic involvement - a (man/woman) you think of as a steady, a lover, a partner, or whatever? | GSS | 1996–1998 | 2 |
| Personal freedom more important than marriage companionship B. Personal freedom is more important than the companionship of marriage. | GSS | 1988–1996 | 2 |
| Wife may refuse to have children If the husband in a family wants children, but the wife decides that she does not want any children, is it all right for the wife to refuse to have children? | GSS | 1977–1996 | 2 |
| Lived with spouse before marriage Did you live with your husband/wife before you got married? | GSS | 1988–1994 | 2 |
| Main purpose of marriage is having children D. The main purpose of marriage these days is to have children. | GSS | 1988–1994 | 2 |
| Ever been divorced Were you ever divorced? | GSS | 1988–1994 | 2 |
| Financial security as main advantage of marriage C. The main advantage of marriage is that it gives financial security. | GSS | 1988–1994 | 2 |
| Ideal number of children for a family, follow-on NOTE: This variable originates on the GSS Next follow-on, and should not be analyzed without the GSS Next-specific weights WTSSPS_NEXT or WTSSNRPS_NEXT | GSS | 2025 | 1 |
| Personal ideal number of children, follow-on NOTE: This variable originates on the GSS Next follow-on, and should not be analyzed without the GSS Next-specific weights WTSSPS_NEXT or WTSSNRPS_NEXT | GSS | 2025 | 1 |
| Had a child in the past year Over the past year have you...(Check all that apply) [Had a child] | CES | 2024 | 1 |
| Got married in the past year Over the past year have you...(Check all that apply) [Married] | CES | 2024 | 1 |
| Got divorced in the past year Over the past year have you...(Check all that apply) [Divorced] | CES | 2024 | 1 |
| Weekly hours of paid childcare used Currently, how many hours per week do you use paid childcare? | Fed SHED | 2023 | 1 |
| Grandparents should help grandchildren financially Consider an elderly couple. One of their grandchildren is in need of temporary financial help because the company he/she worked for closed down recently. Do you think they should, or should not, try their best to help their grandchild financially? Pleas | GSS | 2022 | 1 |
| Got married in the past year Over the past year have you... [Married] | CES | 2022 | 1 |
| Who counts as close relatives People may have different perceptions about who they consider to be close relatives. Imagine a person living with a partner and their children. Which of the following options comes closest to who you would consider to be his/her close relatives? | GSS | 2022 | 1 |
| Had a child in the past year Over the past year have you... [Had a child] | CES | 2022 | 1 |
| Importance of close friends versus close relatives While some people think that close relatives should be the most important people in one"s life, others think that it should be close friends who are the most important. Which view is closer to your opinion? Please choose a number on a scale of 1 to 7 whe | GSS | 2022 | 1 |
| Couple should offer sibling a place to live People have different opinions about responsibilities towards relatives. Consider a couple living with their two children who has enough space in their home for someone to come and stay. A sibling of one of the couple needs a place to stay for a few mo | GSS | 2022 | 1 |
| Death of a spouse or partner in recent bereavement NOTE: This variable originates on the GSS Next follow-on, and should not be analyzed without the GSS Next-specific weights WTSSPS_NEXT or WTSSNRPS_NEXT | GSS | 2022 | 1 |
| Got divorced in the past year Over the past year have you... [Divorced] | CES | 2022 | 1 |
| Number of spouse deaths in recent bereavement NOTE: This variable originates on the GSS Next follow-on, and should not be analyzed without the GSS Next-specific weights WTSSPS_NEXT or WTSSNRPS_NEXT | GSS | 2022 | 1 |
| Couple should offer widowed parent a place to live Consider another couple living with their two children who has enough space in their home for someone to come and stay. The father of one of them recently became a widower. Although he is in good health, he is feeling lonely. In your opinion, do you think | GSS | 2022 | 1 |
| Living with family to receive childcare or medical help To receive help with childcare or medical care - You indicated that you live with (your parents(s) and/or your adult chidren who are not in school). Are each of the following reasons why you live with them? | Fed SHED | 2021 | 1 |
| Living with family because prefer living with others Prefer living with others - You indicated that you live with (your parents(s) and/or your adult chidren who are not in school). Are each of the following reasons why you live with them? | Fed SHED | 2021 | 1 |
| Had a child in the past year Over the past year have you... [Had a child] | CES | 2020 | 1 |
| Got divorced in the past year Over the past year have you... [Divorced] | CES | 2020 | 1 |
| Got married in the past year Over the past year have you... [Married] | CES | 2020 | 1 |
| Got divorced in the past year OVER THE PAST YEAR have you... [Divorced] | CES | 2018 | 1 |
| Family pressure about how you live your life In general, do your family members put pressure on you about the way you live or organize your personal life? | GSS | 2018 | 1 |
| Had a child in the past year OVER THE PAST YEAR have you... [Had a child] | CES | 2018 | 1 |
| Got married in the past year OVER THE PAST YEAR have you... [Married] | CES | 2018 | 1 |
| Giving up job opportunities for family life Have you ever given up or would you give up good job opportunities for the benefit of your family life? | GSS | 2016 | 1 |
| Staying in unsatisfying job for family's benefit Have you ever remained or would you remain in a job that was not satisfying for you for the benefit of your family life? | GSS | 2016 | 1 |
| Experienced a divorce in past 12 months [Divorce] Have you and your family living with you experienced each of the following events in the past 12 months? | Fed SHED | 2016 | 1 |
| Grown children moving back in with parents As you know, many grown children move back home to live with their parents. Do you think this is generally a good idea or a bad idea? | GSS | 2016 | 1 |
| Older people moving into grown children's homes As you know, many older people move into the homes of their grown children. Do you think this is generally a good idea or a bad idea? | GSS | 2016 | 1 |
| Death of primary breadwinner in past 12 months [Death of primary breadwinner] Have you and your family living with you experienced each of the following events in the past 12 months? | Fed SHED | 2016 | 1 |
| Shared living for other reasons [Other] Please select all the reasons below that you (and your immediate family) currently live with your adult children, your or your spouse/partner's parents, your or your spouse/partner's extended family, or roommates? | Fed SHED | 2014 | 1 |
| Shared living to care for sick, disabled, or elderly person [To care for sick/disabled/elderly family member or friend] Please select all the reasons below that you (and your immediate family) currently live with your adult children, your or your spouse/partner's parents, your or your spouse/partner's extended family, or roommates? | Fed SHED | 2014 | 1 |
| Shared living to receive help with child care [To receive assistance with child care] Please select all the reasons below that you (and your immediate family) currently live with your adult children, your or your spouse/partner's parents, your or your spouse/partner's extended family, or roommates? | Fed SHED | 2014 | 1 |
| Delayed marriage because of the recession What major life decision(s) did you delay? [Marriage] | Fed SHED | 2013 | 1 |
| Delayed having a child because of the recession [Having a child] What majore life decision(s) did you delay? | Fed SHED | 2013 | 1 |
| Hardship from having a baby [Had a baby] Which of the following did you or your family living with you exper | Fed SHED | 2013 | 1 |
| Who has final say on weekend activities When you and your (spouse/partner) make decisions about choosing shared weekend activities, who has the final say? | GSS | 2012 | 1 |
| Adult children as important help for elderly parents F. Adult children are an important source of help for elderly parents. | GSS | 2012 | 1 |
| Partner's work status after youngest child started school B. After the youngest child started school? | GSS | 2012 | 1 |
| Partner's work status when child was under school age A. When a child was under school age? | GSS | 2012 | 1 |
| Children restrict parents' employment and career chances D. Having children restricts the employment and career chances of one or both parents. | GSS | 2012 | 1 |
| Who should pay for parental leave B. And who should pay for this leave? The government, the employer, both the government and the employer, or other sources? | GSS | 2012 | 1 |
| Children are a financial burden on parents C. Children are a financial burden on their parents. | GSS | 2012 | 1 |
| Own work status after youngest child started school B. After the youngest child started school? | GSS | 2012 | 1 |
| Work status when child was under school age A. When a child was under school age? | GSS | 2012 | 1 |
| Ever legally adopted a child Have you ever legally adopted a child? | GSS | 2008 | 1 |
| Ever had or fathered a child Have you ever (given birth to (IF FEMALE)/fathered (IF MALE)) a child? | GSS | 2008 | 1 |
| Ever had child under 18 living in own care Have any children who at the time were under age 18 ever lived with you under your care and responsibility? | GSS | 2008 | 1 |
| Obtained a divorce or separation in past year 6. Did you obtain a divorce or separation during the last 12 months, that is since (CURRENT MONTH) 2003? | GSS | 2004 | 1 |
| Death of a child in past year 13. Child | GSS | 2004 | 1 |
| Would endure all things for loved one D. I would endure all things for the sake of the one I love. | GSS | 2004 | 1 |
| Death of a spouse in past year 12. Husband or Wife | GSS | 2004 | 1 |
| Can't be happy unless loved one's happiness comes first B. I cannot be happy unless I place the one I love's happiness before my own. | GSS | 2004 | 1 |
| Would rather suffer than let loved one suffer A. I would rather suffer myself than let the one I love suffer. | GSS | 2004 | 1 |
| Death of a parent in past year 14. Father or Mother | GSS | 2004 | 1 |
| Willing to sacrifice own wishes for loved one C. I am usually willing to sacrifice my own wishes to let the one I love achieve his/hers. | GSS | 2004 | 1 |
| Age by which a young person should marry A. By what age should this normally occur? | GSS | 2002 | 1 |
| Expected age for having a child A. By what age should this normally occur? | GSS | 2002 | 1 |
| Importance of marriage for becoming an adult get married | GSS | 2002 | 1 |
| Importance of young adults leaving parents' household No longer living in their parents' household | GSS | 2002 | 1 |
| Age by which young people should be able to support a family A. By what age should this normally occur? | GSS | 2002 | 1 |
| Age by which young people should leave parents' home A. By what age should this normally occur? | GSS | 2002 | 1 |
| How often spouses disagree about sharing household work How often do you and your spouse/partner disagree about the sharing of household work? | GSS | 2002 | 1 |
| Who has final say on weekend activities A. Choosing shared weekend activities | GSS | 2002 | 1 |
| Run out of time to finish things at home A. There are so many things to do at home, I often run out of time before I get them all done. | GSS | 2002 | 1 |
| Importance for young adults of being able to support a family Be capable of supporting a family financially | GSS | 2002 | 1 |
| Expected age for financial independence from parents A. By what age should this normally occur? | GSS | 2002 | 1 |
| Importance of young adults being financially independent Financially independent from their parents/guardians | GSS | 2002 | 1 |
| Importance of having a child for adulthood Have a child | GSS | 2002 | 1 |
| Travel time to where mother lives About how long would it take to get to where your mother lives? Think about the time it usually takes door to door. | GSS | 2002 | 1 |
| Who has final say on buying major household items B. Buying major things for the home | GSS | 2002 | 1 |
| Time spouse spends with third child C. Third listed child? | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| Child's view of time spent with respondent, third child C. Third listed child? | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| Time spouse spends with fourth child D. Fourth listed child? | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| Child's view of time spent with respondent, first child A. First listed child? | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| Child's view of time spent with respondent, fourth child D. Fourth listed child? | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| Time spouse spends with second child B. Second listed child? | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| Child's view of time spent with respondent, second child B. Second listed child? | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| Time spouse spends with first child A. First listed child? | GSS | 2000 | 1 |
| Happiness of romantic relationship Taking things all together, how would you describe your romantic relationship? Would you say that your relationship is very happy, pretty happy, or not too happy? | GSS | 1996 | 1 |
| Boys' chances for a happy family life And what about boys growing up today? Do you think their chances for a happy family life will be better than yours, about the same, or worse than yours? | GSS | 1996 | 1 |
| Girls' chances for a happy family life Think about girls growing up today: Do you think their chances for a happy family life will be better than yours, about the same, or worse than yours? | GSS | 1996 | 1 |
| Legality of surrogate motherhood Recently, some married couples who are unable to have children have paid women, called "surrogate mothers," to bear a child for them. When the child is born, the couple becomes its adoptive parents and the surrogate mother receives a fee. Do you think that this practice should be permitted or forbidden under the law? | GSS | 1996 | 1 |
| Husband can refuse to have children If the wife in a family wants children, but the husband decides that he does not want any children, is it all right for the husband to refuse to have children. | GSS | 1996 | 1 |
| Preferred emotional dependence in a relationship C. | GSS | 1996 | 1 |
| Share of housework respondent does A. How much of this work do you do? | GSS | 1996 | 1 |
| Best way to match birth mothers with adopters As you know, when a parent is unable to care for a baby, the parent often puts the baby up for adoption. For certaIn kinds of babies, the number of couples who want to adopt is much greater than the number of babies available for adoption. What do you think is the best way to match birth mothers with couples who want to adopt? | GSS | 1996 | 1 |
| Success at balancing work and family life How successful do you feel at balancing your paid work and your family life? Do you feel... | GSS | 1996 | 1 |
| Preference for doing things together or separately in a couple B. | GSS | 1996 | 1 |
| Childless couples should stay together despite conflict B. Even when there are no children, a married couple should stay together even if they don't get along. | GSS | 1994 | 1 |
| Married more than once Have you been married more than once? | GSS | 1994 | 1 |
| Ever lived with an unmarried partner Did you ever live with a partner you didn't marry? | GSS | 1994 | 1 |
| Parents should stay together for children despite conflict A. When there are children in the family, parents should stay together even if they don't get along. | GSS | 1994 | 1 |
| Obligation to care for an ill parent or spouse B. Sometimes people are asked to make great sacrifices for others in their family by caring for an elderly parent or a spouse who is seriously ill or injured. When someone is asked to give such care, is it their obligation to do so, or should they give care only if they really want to? | GSS | 1993 | 1 |
| Family duties interfering with job attention In the last few years, how often would you say that your family or household responsibilities have interfered with your ability to devote full attention to your job? Does this happen frequently, sometimes, seldom or never? | GSS | 1991 | 1 |
| Marriage without children is not fully complete D. A marriage without children is not fully complete. | GSS | 1988 | 1 |
| Way of life recommended for a young woman If you were advising a young woman, which of the following ways of life would you recommend? | GSS | 1988 | 1 |
| Whether divorce is better for children in troubled marriage 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? | GSS | 1988 | 1 |
| Better not to have children due to financial burden E. It is better not to have children because they are such a heavy financial burden. | GSS | 1988 | 1 |
| Whether divorce is better for husband in troubled marriage And when a marriage is troubled and unhappy, is it generally better for the husband if the couple stays together or gets divorced? | GSS | 1988 | 1 |
| How easy divorce should be for couples without young children And in general, how easy or difficult do you think the law should make it for couples without young children to get a divorce? | GSS | 1988 | 1 |
| Desirability of a three-child family D. A family with three kids | GSS | 1988 | 1 |
| Desirability of a two-child family C. A family with two children | GSS | 1988 | 1 |
| Recommended way of life for a young man If you were advising a young man, which of the following ways of life would you recommend? | GSS | 1988 | 1 |
| How easy divorce should be for couples with young children And what about couples with young children? How easy or difficult should the law make it for them to get a divorce? | GSS | 1988 | 1 |
| Desirability of a family with no children A. A family with no children | GSS | 1988 | 1 |
| Easy divorce makes couples take marriage less seriously I. Couples don't take marriage seriously enough when divorce is easily available. | GSS | 1988 | 1 |
| Whether divorce is better for wife in troubled marriage And when a marriage is troubled and unhappy, is it generally better for the wife if the couple stays together or gets divorced? | GSS | 1988 | 1 |
| Children are more trouble than they are worth A. Children are more trouble than they are worth. | GSS | 1988 | 1 |
| Desirability of a family with four or more children E. A family with four children or more | GSS | 1988 | 1 |
| Desirability of a one-child family B. A family with one child | GSS | 1988 | 1 |
| How easy it is 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? | GSS | 1988 | 1 |
| How often respondent visits adult son A. How often do you see or visit with your son? | GSS | 1986 | 1 |
| Travel time to mother's home B. About how long would it take you to get to where your mother lives? Think of the time it usually takes door to door. | GSS | 1986 | 1 |
| Frequency of phone or letter contact with adult son C. And how often do you have any other contact with your son besides visiting, either by telephone or letter? | GSS | 1986 | 1 |
| Regularly received alimony or child support 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? | GSS | 1986 | 1 |
| Ever entitled to alimony or child support Are you currently or have you ever been entitled to alimony or child support payments from a former (husband/wife)? | GSS | 1986 | 1 |
| Second person to turn to for marital problems B. Second Choice | GSS | 1986 | 1 |
| How often respondent visits adult daughter A. How often do you see or visit with your daughter? | GSS | 1986 | 1 |
| Travel time to adult daughter's home B. About how long would it take you to get to where your daughter lives? Think of the time it usually takes door to door. | GSS | 1986 | 1 |
| First person to turn to for marital problems A. First Choice | GSS | 1986 | 1 |
| Contact with adult daughter by phone or letter C. And how often do you have any other contact with your daughter besides visiting, either by telephone or letter? | GSS | 1986 | 1 |
| Importance of relatives in life E. Relatives. | GSS | 1982 | 1 |
| Importance of family and children in life A. One's own family and children. | GSS | 1982 | 1 |
| Whether divorce should be easier or harder to obtain, version Y B. Should divorce in this country be easier to obtain, more difficult to obtain, or stay as it is now? | GSS | 1978 | 1 |