Family formation study, stage 1, 1980-81 : user's guide for the machine-readable data file / ... prepared by Social Science Data Archives.

Abstract

This study is the first stage of a longitudinal panel study of family formation patterns and processes. The aim is to identify those factors which influence decisions to leave the family of origin home, to establish permanent adult sexual relationships, to marry or not to marry, to have children or not to have children; to detect changes in the above processes; and to examine these trends in the Australian context of the eighties. The data is in two files, reflecting the two related phases of the study. The first phase involved the collection of Household Structure Matrix information for all households contacted. The second phase involved the questionning of selected in-scope respondents using the Family Formation Interview schedule. The Household Structure Matrix was used to determine the age, sex, employment status and pattern of relationships of all household members. In the Family Formation interview major attitudinal variables include occupational satisfaction and relation to family life; living at home and relationship with parents; leaving home and reasons; partnering, marriage and other social contacts; having children, including when, how many, good and bad points, social pressures, family planning, childcare, and choosing not to have any; birth-related issues such as adoption, artificial insemination and abortion; other issues such as marriage, divorce, sex roles, and religious beliefs. Respondent characteristics include details of members of current household and interrelationships; mobility between dwellings, especially during childhood; family of origin structure (brothers and sisters); details of parents such as ethnicity, religion, education, occupation, changes in parental personnel; education level and qualifications; occupation, including school leaving age, first job, latest job, number of job changes and partner's occupation; marital status, partners and sexual experience; other social relationships; number and ages of children; religious observance; club membership; income and benefits; type of dwelling and household goods; use of media; language problems; life pressures, plans and best and worst times of life. Show more