The NLSY97 is designed to document the transition from school to work and into adulthood. It collects extensive information about youths' labor market behavior and educational experiences over time. Employment information focuses on two types of jobs, "employee" jobs where youths work for a particular employer, and "freelance" jobs such as lawn mowing and babysitting. These distinctions will enable researchers to study effects of very early employment among youths. Employment data include start and stop dates of jobs, occupation, industry, hours, earnings, job search, and benefits. Measures of work experience, tenure with an employer, and employer transitions can also be obtained. Educational data include youths' schooling history, performance on standardized tests, course of study, the timing and types of degrees, and a detailed account of progression through post-secondary schooling. Subject areas in the questionnaire also include: Youths' relationships with parents, contact with absent parents, marital and fertility histories, dating, sexual activity, onset of puberty, training, participation in government assistance programs, expectations, time use, criminal behavior, and alcohol and drug use.
Years Available: 1979, 1997 (longitudinal)
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria: Ages 14-21
Methods: National survey collected annually through 1994 and every other year beginning in 1996.
Sampling Design: Longitudinal sample of approximately 12,000 males and females.
Sample Size: 12,000
Unit of Observation: Individual
Limitations:
Data Format: SAS
Publisher: U.S. Dept. of Labor
URL:
http://www.bls.gov/nls/
Variables: Thematic Areas listed here. Complete documentation on study website (above)