Family Characteristics of 6- to 12-Year-Olds

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Vol 2, Issue 1, Topic: Elementary and Secondary Education

This article was originally published as an Indicator of the Month, taken from The Condition of Education: 1999. The sample survey data are from the March Current Population Survey (CPS), conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The family environment in which a child lives affects many aspects of that child's life, including school performance. For example, research has shown that family characteristics, such as parents' educational attainment, number of children in the family, family income, and mother's employment status, are related to student achievement. Data on such family characteristics may help policymakers and educators to apply resources efficiently and to develop programs designed to increase learning.

The educational attainment of parents of 6- to 12-year-olds increased substantially between 1972 and 1997. For example, the percentage of 6- to 12-year-olds whose mothers completed at least high school increased from 66 to 84 percent (table 1 and figure 1a), while the percentage whose fathers completed at least high school rose from 65 to 85 percent (not shown).
The employment rate of mothers of 6- to 12-year-olds increased between 1972 and 1997, rising from 39 percent in 1972 to 66 percent in 1997. The employment rate of fathers decreased slightly, from 93 percent in 1972 to 91 percent in 1997 (table 1 and figure 1b). Despite the increase in mothers' employment, median family income (in constant 1997 dollars) remained relatively stable between 1972 and 1997 (not shown).
The percentage of 6- to 12-year-olds who lived with only their mother doubled between 1972 and 1997, increasing from 12 to 24 percent. Conversely, the percentage who lived with two parents decreased from 87 to 71 percent during the same period (table 1 and figure 1c).
In 1997, 6- to 12-year-olds had fewer other children in their household than their peers in 1972. For example, in 1972, 71 percent of 6- to 12-year-olds had two or more brothers or sisters, compared with 46 percent in 1997 (table 1 and figure 1d).

Table 1.—Percentage distribution of 6- to 12-year-olds, by selected family characteristics: 1972-97

Table 1.- Percentage distribution of 6- to 12-year-olds, by selected family characteristics: 1972-97

NOTE: Information on parents' educational attainment and employment status is available only for those parents who live in the same household with their child. Percentages for employment status were based on the total population, not just those in the labor force.

The Current Population Survey (CPS) questions used to obtain educational attainment were changed in 1992. In 1994, the survey instrument for the CPS was changed and weights were adjusted. These changes may affect the comparability of current statistics to those derived from earlier surveys.

Percentages may not sum to 100.0 due to rounding.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey (CPS), March 1972-97 (selected years).

Figure 1a.—Percentage distribution of 6- to 12-year-olds, by mother's highest education level: 1972-97

Figure 1b.—Employment status of parents of 6- to 12-year-olds: 1972-97

Figure 1c.—Family type of 6- to 12-year-olds: 1972-97

Figure 1c.- Family type of 6- to 12-year-olds: 1972-97

See notes under figure 1d.

Figure 1d.—Percentage distribution of 6- to 12-year-olds, by number of other children in household: 1972-97

Figure 1d.- Percentage distribution of 6- to 12-year-olds, by number of other children in household: 1972-97

Percentages may not sum to 100.0 due to rounding.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey (CPS), March 1972-97 (selected years).

Data source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey (CPS), March 1972-97 (selected years).

For technical information, see

National Center for Education Statistics. (1999). The Condition of Education: 1999 (NCES 1999-022).

For complete supplemental and standard error tables, see either

• the electronic version of The Condition of Education: 1999 (http://nces.ed.gov/pubs99/condition99) , or

• volume 2 of the printed version (forthcoming): The Condition of Education: 1999 Supplemental and Standard Error Tables (NCES 2000-016).

For questions about content, contact John Wirt (john.wirt@ed.gov).

To obtain this Indicator of the Month (NCES 2000-004), call the toll-free ED Pubs number (877-433-7827) or visit the NCES Web Site (http://nces.ed.gov) .