Patterns of Family Change, 1960

This study closely examined the distribution and redistribution of family income in the United States as well as family attitudes, histories, and motivations that might predict income. Data were collected on a wide range of demographic, economic, sociological, and psychological factors that affect the economic position of the family. These factors included information on present occupation and job history, the kinds of communities in which people grew up, type and adequacy of dwelling place, personality measures, religious preferences, political affiliation, family history, and data on the actions and decisions of family members. A long series of questions was asked about the educational level achieved by adults in the family and about parents' aspirations and plans for the educational and occupational attainment of their children. Also included were measures of geographic mobility, physical disabilities, labor force participation of wives, attitudes toward hard work, and achievement motivations, as well as demographic characteristics such as sex, age, and race. Detailed data were collected on three major components of family income: earnings, investments, and transfer payments. The study utilized a sample designed to provide reliable data on both low-income families and respondents with middle and high incomes for purposes of comparison. Interviews were taken with 2,997 spending units in 2,800 families comprising 3,396 adult units. The data can be analyzed using three different units: the adult unit (Part 1), in which adults were treated individually even if they did not keep separate finances, the family unit (Part 2), and the spending unit (Part 3).