Search results

The Detroit Arab American Study (DAAS), 2003, a companion survey to the 2003 Detroit Area Study (DAS), using a representative sample (DAS, n = 500) drawn from the three-county Detroit metropolitan area and an oversample of Arab Americans (DAAS, n = 1000) from the same region, provides a unique dataset on September 11, 2001, and its impacts on Arab Americans living in the Detroit metropolitan area. The data contain respondent information concerning opinions on their experiences since the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, social trust, confidence in institutions, intercultural relationships, local social capital, attachments to transnational communities, respondent characteristics, and community needs. Examples of the issues addressed in the data include frequency of religious participation, level of political activism, level of interaction with people outside of their cultural, racial, and ethnic groups, and the quality of the social and political institutions in their area. Background information includes birth country, citizenship status, citizenship status of spouse, education, home ownership status, household income, language spoken in the home (if not English), marital status, number of children (under 18) in the household, parents' countries of birth and citizenship status, political affiliation, total number of people living in the household, voter registration status, whether the respondent ever served in the United States Armed Forces, and year of immigration, if not born in the United States.

This study contains data on child-rearing practices of mothers of children aged 18 and younger. The study was a combination of two studies: CHILD REARING PATTERNS AMONG URBAN FAMILIES by Daniel Miller and Guy Swanson, and ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTIONS OF CONSENSUS OF GROUP MEMBERS by Theodore Newcomb. Respondents were asked about their children's habits, toilet training, and bottle- and breast-feeding patterns. Respondents were also asked about their child-rearing practices, attitudes about children, views of child-appropriate and sex-appropriate tasks, handling of difficult situations with their children, and use of leisure time. Other questions explored respondents' political interests, social life, and friends. They were asked if they voted for Adlai Stevenson or Dwight Eisenhower in the last American presidential election and why. The respondents were questioned about their three best friends to determine how frequently they visited with them, how often they discussed the election with them, whom they voted for and what kind of jobs their husbands held. Demographic variables specify age, sex, race, education, place of birth, length of residence in the Detroit area, home ownership, length of time at present residence, marital status, number of children, original nationality of husband's family, income, occupation, religious preferences, and class identification.

This study of adults aged 21 and older in the Detroit metropolitan area provides information on their contact with and attitudes toward government administrative agencies, their views regarding civic duties, and their organizational memberships in 1954. The study was a combination of two separate studies: IDEAL FAMILY SIZE IN DETROIT by Ronald Freedman, and ADMINISTRATIVE BEHAVIOR IN A METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY by Morris Janowitz. Respondents were asked about their contact with and knowledge of various agencies, including the Michigan Employment Security Commission and the Social Security Department. They were asked to evaluate the performance of the public schools, the County Sheriff's Department, state and local police, and local, county, and state government officials. Several questions were asked to determine the respondents' attitudes toward government employment and employees, specifically the prestige of various jobs in the public sector compared with comparable jobs in the private sector, and their preference for working for the United States government or a private firm. Other questions probed respondents' living experiences before coming to Detroit, their feelings about living in Detroit, and their views about collectivist versus individualist ideology, a national health insurance plan, military draft, taxes, changes in the Social Security system, the role of political influence in enabling private citizens to get help from government agencies, and the ideal family size. Also explored were respondents' understanding of the meaning of "red tape" and how much of it they thought was necessary, and their views on the extent of government's role in solving problems such as unemployment, education, and housing. Respondents were also asked about their political activities, political party preference, and electoral and voting participation. They were asked to identify the mass media on which they relied most for political information, the organizations they belonged to, and if they had a television set. Demographic variables specify age, sex, education, place of birth, marital status, number of children, nationality, religious preferences, occupation, family income, length of residence in the Detroit area, home ownership, length of time at present residence, and class identification.

More information about the Detroit Area Studies Project is available on the Detroit Area Studies Project Web site.

This collection provides information on 731 married wives of couples living in the Detroit metropolitan area in 1955. Data are provided on the frequency and interaction of respondents with their relatives, as well as their attitudes on family. The collection is a combination of two studies: A DESCRIPTION OF URBAN KINSHIP PATTERNS by Morris Axelrod, and THE URBAN FAMILY by Robert Blood. Data are provided on the frequency of and reasons for large family gatherings, the nature of help that the respondent's family received from relatives, the nature of help that the respondent gave to relatives, and the nature of the relationship with the respondent's relatives on both sides of the family. Other questions explored respondents' family attitudes. They were asked about the division of labor and decision-making processes in their homes, their interactions with their spouses, including communication between them and the causes and methods of handling disagreements, and their attitudes toward marriage in general. In addition, the respondents were asked about expected family size and what they felt the advantages were of having children. Also probed was their use of leisure time. Demographic variables specify age, sex, race, education, marital status, occupation, family income, length of residence in the Detroit area, home ownership, and religious preferences.

This study of 797 adults in the Detroit metropolitan area provides information on their attitudes toward work and their motivations for working, as well as their orientation toward many social and political issues. The study was a combination of two separate studies: ORIENTATION ON MORAL ISSUES IN A METROPOLIS by Robert Angell, and THE MEANING OF WORK by Robert Kahn and Robert Weiss. Respondents were asked about the importance of work in their life, the things in their job that made them feel important, the things they wanted from their job that it did not provide, the other areas of their life that made them feel useful, and the people in their lives that influenced their choice of occupation. A number of questions that focused on women working outside the home probed respondents' feelings about how a husband was affected by a working wife, and if there were kinds of jobs that women should not have. Other questions probed respondents' views about what the United States should do in the event of an attack by the Soviet Union on a western European country, a parent not allowing a child to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in school, the proposed racial integration of schools, appointment or election of government officials, effecting changes in the United States Constitution, trial by a jury or a judge, ways to effect world peace, the most important problem for the United States in the future, and a Communist revolution in a Latin American country. Additional items explored respondents' opinion of the Detroit newspapers and the Detroit newspaper strike, and their satisfaction with their neighborhood. Respondents were also asked about their political party preference, as well as their use and ownership of telephones. Demographic variables specify age, sex, race, education, place of birth, marital status, number of children, nationality, religious preferences, occupation, family income, length of residence in the Detroit area, home ownership, length of time at present residence, and class identification.

This study investigated political activities and attitudes of 77 Republican and 72 Democratic precinct leaders in Wayne County, Michigan. The interviews focused on county-, district-, and precinct-level organization and activities as well as on related perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors of the party leadership toward the party structure at each level. Questions probed the respondents' living experiences before coming to Detroit, and their behavior regarding changes of residence since coming to Detroit. The use of phones within the home was also ascertained. Items assessing various influences on the respondents' political attitudes and behaviors were included in the interview. The respondents were asked to indicate the mass media on which they depended most heavily for political information, and how often politics was discussed in meetings with family, friends, neighbors, and other groups to which they belonged. The strength of the respondent's political party affiliation and perceptions of differences between the major parties on various issues were also explored. Questions were asked about the importance and frequency of voting, the respondent's knowledge of and involvement in local party politics, knowledge of precinct workers and the state party chairman, and general attitudes toward politics and political figures such as Adlai Stevenson and Dwight Eisenhower. Also studied were the respondent's opinions regarding several controversial issues, including national health care, school integration, ending the selective service system, and monetary aid to countries that were not anti-communist. Background variables established the respondent's age, sex, race, educational level, marital status, occupation, social class, political affiliation, number of children, religious preference, and relationship to the head of the household. Demographic information was also collected on the respondent's father.

This study of 656 respondents in the Detroit metropolitan area provides information on their religious attitudes and activities, as well as their economic and political attitudes and behavior. Respondents were asked about their belief in God and in life after death, the effects of their religious beliefs on their political beliefs, and the kinds of issues religious leaders should take a public stand on. Several questions probed respondents' views of other religious groups, as well as their attitudes on such issues as gambling, birth control, and the use of alcohol. Other topics covered include: information about respondents' economic behaviors such as saving and purchases on installment plans, respondents' opinions of government take-over of large industries and greater involvement in education and housing, respondents' attitudes toward income-earning work, science, degree of free speech, and racial equity, inter-group images, family and child-rearing patterns, welfare legislation, civil liberties, international relations, legislation on moral issues, doctrinal orthodoxy, devotionalism, and the effects of religion on politics as well as on daily life. Demographic variables specify age, sex, race, education, place of birth, marital status, number of children, length of time at present residence, religion, political party affiliation, income, occupation, original nationality of husband's and wife's family, home ownership, social class identification, and length of residence in the Detroit area.

This study of 767 adults in the Detroit metropolitan area provides information on their religious beliefs and practices, as well as their feelings about various forms of taxation such as sales tax, income tax, and property tax. The collection was a combination of two separate studies: THE VITALITY OF SUPERNATURAL EXPERIENCE by Guy Swanson, and A FISCAL RESEARCH PROGRAM by Harvey Brazer. Respondents were asked about their beliefs in the existence and characteristics of God, the amount of influence they felt that God had in their life, and how they thought God would feel about various situations. Also explored was the membership and level of activity in formal organizations for both the respondent and the respondent's spouse. The respondent was also asked to evaluate the performance of several institutions and professional groups such as colleges, their position on televisions in classrooms, the Federal Courts, doctors, and scientists. In addition, the respondent was asked to list the problems in the United States that were badly in need of resolution and to evaluate who was to blame for the problems and what could be done to solve them. Other items probed the respondent's opinions of educational television stations, the comparative quality of utility companies' services, government spending, and the most important things in life. Attitudes toward the use of taxes or use fees to pay for parks and garbage collection were also elicited. Demographic variables specify age, sex, race, education, place of birth, marital status, occupation, length of residence in the Detroit area, home ownership, length of time at present residence, number of children, original nationality of husband's and wife's family, political affiliation, and amount and sources of income.

This study of 678 adults in the Detroit metropolitan area in 1960 provides measures of their job satisfaction and use of leisure time, as well as information on their friendships, buying patterns, and political preferences. Questions on job satisfaction queried respondents about job preferences, hours worked at current job, preference for self-employment, type of supervisors at workplace, chances for promotion, and the work culture and environment at respondents' current jobs. Questions on leisure time elicit information on time spent watching television and the programs watched often, newspapers and magazines read regularly and favorite columnists, books read, time spent on other hobbies and crafts such as photography, music, and sports, vacation time, use of spare time, memberships in clubs and organizations, and time spent socializing with friends, relatives, colleagues, and neighbors. Other items probed respondents' opinions about causes of unemployment, their feelings about their standard of living, and their future plans, financial obligations, buying patterns, use and ownership of telephones, self-perceived social class, political party preference, and choice of gubernatorial and presidential candidates in the last election. Additional items probed respondents' attitudes toward Blacks as neighbors and co-workers. Demographic variables specify age, sex, race, education, place of birth, length of residence in the Detroit area, home ownership, length of time at present residence, marital status, number of children, original nationality of paternal family, income, occupation, religious preferences, and class identification.

This study presents data collected as part of the 1960-1961 Detroit Area Study from 419 workers who were members of the United Auto Workers union. Respondents were asked how long they had worked on their jobs, what their job duties were, and whether they were satisfied with their jobs. Another set of questions covered length of union membership, union activity, their conceptions of what the role of their union should be, and their satisfaction with the job their union was doing. Political questions covered the good and bad points of political parties, the Kennedy-Nixon debates, the political issues facing the nation, party identification, past and present vote in state and national elections, and political participation. The social structure of the work group was probed, and respondents were questioned about the importance of politics in work group relationships. Demographic variables included social class, age, organizational membership, religion, education, occupation, income, and race.

The main focus of this data collection was women's attitudes toward family and family size. The women interviewed for this study answered questions on past pregnancies and described their attitudes toward large and small families, their reasons for having children, and the nature of their own patterns of family growth. Extensive family background information was also collected, including data on occupation of respondent and husband, age of respondent and husband, education of respondent and husband and their parents, family income, types of savings, and housing information.

This study of 1,536 mothers of 5th- and 6th-grade school children in the Detroit metropolitan area provides information on their views on family and school relationships in 1963. The mothers were asked to assess the neighborhood schools, their children's performance in school, and their personal contacts with school officials. Other questions probed the extent of quality time the parents spent with their children, and the time they spent visiting their children's school and the nature of such visits. Additional questions explored respondents' feelings about people of the same social class living in the same neighborhood, and their views on public schools, public assistance, public officials, character development, obedience and respect for authority, child discipline, assignment of home chores to children, and the importance of family stability. Information was also elicited on the type of house respondents lived in, type of neighbors and neighborhood, and their relationship with neighbors and relatives. Demographic variables specify age, sex, marital status, place of birth, education, occupation, number of children in school and their grades, number of children retarded, nationality, personality traits, English proficiency, occupation, family income, unemployment records, religious preferences, length of residence in the Detroit area, and length of time at present residence.

This data collection measures the feelings and attitudes of 558 adults in the Detroit metropolitan area about other nations and what should be done in the world in 1964. Respondents were questioned extensively about their sources of information, the media, their political activities, and their organizational memberships. They were asked about the quality of information they received from the news media, their knowledge of foreign affairs, their feelings about developing nations, the United Nations and its role in aiding political, social, and economic development in developing nations, United States' assistance to developing nations, the admission of communist China to the United Nations, effects of atomic weapons build-up on world peace, the United States' military-industrial complex, and disarmament agreements between the United States and Russia. Respondents were also asked to assess the goals that the United States should have in dealing with other countries, and the domestic sources of influence on United States' foreign policy. Information was also elicited on respondents' political activism, such as demonstrations, petition-signing, support of political action groups, voting behavior, and political party affiliation, and memberships and participation in clubs and organizations. Demographic variables specify age, sex, race, place of birth, nationality, education, marital status, religion, length of residence in the Detroit area, family income, occupation, place and length of military service, and foreign contacts.

This data collection measures the ability of 558 adults in the Detroit metropolitan area to recall major events in their lives and to place these events in a particular time frame. In order to ascertain the quality of their memories, respondents were questioned extensively about the time they bought their house and car, when they last observed a death or illness in the family or among their friends, and if they could recall precise events such as the assassination of President Kennedy. They were also asked about the time they were last hospitalized and how long they had lived in their present residence. Also explored were respondents' feelings about time and their use of time. Additional items explored respondents' childhood memories, attendance at club meetings, routine or planned activities, approach to multitasking, their favorite holiday, and sense of direction, as well as the quality of services provided by various utility companies. Demographic variables specify age, place of birth, race, marital status, occupation, education, religion, original nationality of parents, number of children, political party affiliation, home ownership, family income, and length of residence in the Detroit area.

This study of 1,013 adult white males aged 21-64 in the Detroit metropolitan area provides information on their opinions of certain public and personal issues, as well as the pattern of their friendship networks. Respondents were asked about their friends, jobs, leisure time activities, and interests, as well as their attitudes toward certain political issues. Data are provided on respondents' social and work associations, and their interactions among a common group of friends. Other items elicited respondents' views on immigration, labor unions, the role of government, government spending on public schools, public parks, and county hospitals, income-earning work, racial imbalance in schools, the role of the husband in household chores responsibility, Communists, Ku Klux Klansmen, the ideal number of children for the average American family, and success. Additional items provide information on respondents' membership in organizations and clubs, their use of free time, and their home furnishings. Demographic variables include age, sex, marital status, country of birth, education, occupation, religion, political party affiliation, home ownership, family income, original nationality of parents, number of children, social class identification, and length of residence in the Detroit area.

This study sampled Black households within the city of Detroit in the spring and summer of 1968 and interviewed the head of household or spouse of the head of household. The study examined contact between Blacks and Whites and the views of Blacks regarding Black militancy, community control, Black consciousness, and anti-White sentiments. Questions included in the interview determined the number and type of contacts respondents had with whites, the respondents' attitudes toward child-rearing, and political activities at neighborhood churches. Perceptions of various local problems were probed, including the effects of the 1967 Detroit riots. Respondents were also asked about the best means for Blacks to gain their rights and reasons for the high unemployment rate in Detroit. Other topics covered respondents' experiences with and awareness of racial discrimination in the areas of housing, local police activities, business relations, and job opportunities. Background information on respondents includes age, sex, race, marital status, religious affiliation, and church activities. The respondent's residence up to age 10, length of residence in Detroit and in their current neighborhood, and the racial composition of the neighborhood were ascertained. Respondent's educational level, the racial composition of schools the respondent attended, and respondent's service in the military were also recorded. Other demographic information was gathered regarding the number of adults and children living in the household, as well as the number of rooms in the house, family income, and income sources. The respondent was also asked about the educational levels and occupations of other family members.

This study examines the attitudes of White adults living in the greater Detroit Metropolitan area toward neighbors and Blacks. In particular, the study measured respondents' reactions to Blacks moving into their neighborhood, Black children playing with their child, and Blacks working at the same job. The study also assessed the current neighborhood situation with respect to the dominant socioeconomic patterns. Demographic information includes respondent's age, gender, marital status, employment status, family income, religious preference, and occupation.

This data collection provides information on the jobs and career patterns of 638 male workers aged 16 and older who had worked for pay for six months or longer in the Detroit metropolitan area in 1970. In order to determine the occupational mobility of respondents, detailed questions were asked about job histories. Probed were aspects of the respondents' jobs that were most satisfying to them. Other items assessed the job opportunities that were available to respondents then and in the future, and their feelings about their financial situations relative to the past and the future. Additional items queried respondents about their club memberships and voting behavior, and their views of government. Demographic variables specify age, race, marital status, education, occupation, number of children, religion, political party affiliation, social class status, income, home ownership, and length of residence in the Detroit area.

The study was conducted during the spring and summer of 1971. The aim of the 1971 Detroit Area Study was to gather information on social change in the Detroit area by replicating items from nine earlier Detroit Area Studies that were conducted in 1953-1959, 1968, and 1969. The criteria used for selecting the question items were that they: (1) not be dated by wording or subject matter, (2) be relevant to some problem of current public concern or a continuing issue of sociological theory, and (3) be of the type that would be manageable in a long interview on diverse subjects. The questions chosen to be included in the 1971 Detroit Area Study examined issues such as values in marriage, ideal number of children, satisfaction of wives with marriage, decision-making and division of labor within a marriage, attitudes toward women and work, child-rearing, social participation, religious participation and beliefs, moral and job values, political orientation and participation, evaluation of various institutions, and racial attitudes. In addition to the items replicated from the previous studies, respondents' attitudes toward the United States sending troops to Vietnam were explored. Background variables established respondents' age, sex, race, educational level, marital status, occupation, class identification, and relationship to head of household. Demographic information was also collected on the respondent's spouse and parents.

This study of 132 adults in managerial, personnel, and supervisory positions in private firms in the Detroit metropolitan area in 1972 provides information on affirmative action in the workplace, as well as company products, type and structure, management style, and profitability. Data are provided on respondents' firms' product lines and services, labor force, assets, profit margins and revenues, salaries and wages, stocks, use of computer technology, supervisors' duties and roles, pension plans, recruitment methods, unions, rates of promotion, dress codes, and work processes. Other items explored respondents' attitudes toward government's efforts to eliminate employment-based racial discrimination, and white collar and blue collar jobs. Demographic variables specify sex, race, education, income, religion, political party affiliation, length of residence in the Detroit area, and length of time in current job and position.

This study of 576 adults in the Detroit metropolitan area in 1973 measures their feelings about the military and the Vietnam War, as well as a variety of other issues. The study incorporates data from two sets of investigations: those collected by David Segal on opinions about the military and the Vietnam War, and those collected by Michael Flynn and James Jackson on the application of laboratory methodologies to a survey setting. Items explored respondents' opinions on the appropriateness of United States' involvement in the Vietnam War, the substitution of an all-volunteer army for the military draft, and the amount of money that should be spent on the military. Other items queried respondents about how a hypothetical sum of money should be spent and the criteria that guided their allocation of this money. Also measured were respondents' responses to photographs of people's faces and how they completed a story begun by the interviewer. Additional items explored respondents' attitudes toward a variety of other public and private issues, such as government's efforts to eliminate employment-based racial discrimination, United States' aid to North Vietnam, career success, and use of leisure time. Demographic variables specify age, sex, race, marital status, education, occupation, military service, rank in the army, religion, social class identification, political party affiliation, income, physical height, number of children, and length of residence in the Detroit area.

This study of 438 women aged 18-65 in the Detroit metropolitan area in 1974 provides information on their participation in the labor force. Data are provided on the job histories of respondents, up to 14 previous occupations in order to assess the nature of work, length of stay on the job, and the status of public or private employment. Respondents were asked questions about the various jobs they had held, such as their feelings toward their jobs, their reasons for working, job titles held, membership in labor unions, health conditions that might have affected their work, reasons for leaving their jobs, and the geographic location of their workplace, as well as their feelings of job security and job satisfaction. Other questions probed respondents' feelings about equal job opportunities for men and women, equal privileges for women and men, the removal of the glass ceiling for women in America's corporate and political life, the implications for the marriage if a wife earned more than her husband, career-oriented wives, husbands' share of household chores, and working mothers. Additional items explored respondents' opinions of government's efforts to eliminate sexual and racial discrimination, and the idea of changes in divorce laws to make divorce easier or harder to obtain. Demographic variables specify age, sex, education, marital status, income, relationship to head of household, household composition, nationality, political party affiliation, and social class identification. Also provided is demographic information on family members.

This study of 664 adults in the Detroit metropolitan area in 1975 provides information on their perceptions of the quality of life in their neighborhood and the services provided by their local governments. Data are provided on neighborhood characteristics and problems, as well as respondents' political beliefs and activities. Items explored respondents' feelings about their neighborhood, city government's services, and a new regional government, and their opinions about government offices and officials, and government's use of taxpayers' money. Also explored were respondents' voting behavior, interactions with people in their neighborhood and in the Detroit tri-county area, and use of the news media. In addition, the respondents were asked to list their neighborhood problems and local issues dealt with that year. Demographic variables specify sex, age, race, education, occupation, and income.

This survey was concerned with respondents' opinions of their neighborhoods, public policy issues, and racial issues. Housing discrimination, Black/White racial attitudes, and busing to achieve school integration were among the issues surveyed. Information was also collected on respondents' employment status and reasons for moving from or staying in their neighborhoods.

The Detroit Area Study is an ongoing series of surveys conducted by the Department of Sociology at the University of Michigan. These surveys serve two purposes: to provide useful survey information about various population characteristics and social issues selected as topics by principal investigators, and to provide actual survey research experience for graduate students. This study explores two topics related to social psychology. Attitude-behavior consistency was measured by asking respondents about their television viewing and their attitudes toward television violence. Follow-up interviews were conducted by telephone to ascertain respondents' actual television viewing. In addition, some respondents were asked to sign a petition regarding violence on television. The study of attribution was conducted by reading respondents a series of vignettes and then asking several questions regarding the characters' responsibility for their actions.

Crime and other matters of criminal justice were the main focus of inquiry for this Detroit Area Study. Respondents were asked to report on incidents of crime against themselves, relatives, and friends. They also were queried about their fears of being victimized by crime and about measures they had undertaken to protect themselves against crime. In addition, the survey elicited views on wide range of criminal justice issues such as the death penalty, the causes of crime and ways to reduce it, the salience of crime as a social problem, the legalization of marijuana use, handgun laws, the criminality of certain acts such as shooting a fleeing burglar, the construction of new prisons, the imposition of new taxes to improve law enforcement, the allocation of federal funds to police and other services, the activities of the police and courts including their fairness toward blacks, and whether or not convicting the innocent was better than letting the guilty go free. The survey also sought respondents' views on other social issues, such as prayer in public schools, labor unions, the Equal Rights amendment, defense spending, abortion, the quality of public schools, and affirmative action. Additional information gathered by the survey includes duration of residence in the tri-county area and at the current address, place of previous residence, moves planned for the future, television viewing habits, which newspapers were read, gun ownership, shopping habits, home and motor vehicle ownership, use of public transportation, travel to work, political and social class affiliation, satisfaction with neighborhoods and with the tri-county area, and information on age, sex, place of birth, marital status, education, employment, occupation, income, religion, race, ethnicity, and household composition.

The quality of community life in the Detroit metropolitan area and factors influencing it were the main focus for this Detroit Area Study. To gauge perceptions of the quality of life in the Detroit tri-county area, respondents were asked how satisfied or dissatisfied they were with the tri-county area in general, with their neighborhoods, and with the quality of local community services, such as quality of local roads, public schools, police and garbage collection. In addition, the survey measured respondents' satisfaction or dissatisfaction with their own education, income, health, amount of leisure time, marriage, family life, job, home, and other aspects of their lives. Respondents also were questioned about their expectations for the future, their friendships in the tri-county area, friendliness with neighbors, use of recreational facilities, and where their children played. The survey also sought respondents' opinions on a wide range of other issues such as race relations, social stratification, abortion, the benefits of the free enterprise system, whether or not the United States was a meritocracy, and the meaning and value of democracy. Additional information gathered by the survey includes duration of residence in the tri-county area and at the current residence, place of previous residence, home ownership, rent payments, value of the home, number of separate bedrooms, motor vehicle ownership and use, use of public transportation, employment status, occupation and industry, independence and authority at work, number of siblings ever born, religious preference, social class identification, political preference, and information on age, sex, place of birth, income, race, ethnicity, and household composition.

This Detroit Area Study was primarily devoted to investigating the family from the perspective of males. The survey asked men about their relationships with family members and friends and included questions on contact, intimacy, activities done together, help given and received, serious disagreements, and expectations placed on relatives. In addition, men were queried about their own self-image and their views on gender roles, the value of marriage, and the inappropriateness of certain behaviors for wives and steady girlfriends. Married men were questioned about the distribution of power and the division of labor between themselves and their spouses, e.g., who had more say in decisions about the purchase of major household items, and who did most of the housework. The survey explored satisfaction with fatherhood and the degree of and kind of involvement of fathers with their children, including their child-rearing practices and values. As in previous Detroit Area Studies, the survey gauged attitudes toward abortion, defense spending, the Equal Rights Amendment, school prayer, and unions. Additional information gathered by the survey includes duration of residence in the tri-county area and at the current address, moves planned for the future, home and motor vehicle ownership, political party identification, vote in the 1980 presidential election, social class identification, satisfaction with jobs, use of public transportation, religion and religiosity, employment status, occupation and industry, and information on age, sex, place of birth, marital status, education, income, race, ethnicity, and household composition.

Parental child-rearing practices and values and factors influencing those practices were the main focus of this Detroit Area Study. Respondents were asked about their involvement with their children and the kind and amount of activities done together, household rules that children were expected to follow and how strictly those rules were enforced, and forms of punishment employed for disobedience such as scolding, grounding, or physical punishment. Parental values were explored by the survey with a variety of items such as the importance to the respondent of being a parent, educational achievement desired for children, the desirability of certain qualities in their children, (e.g., good manners, honesty, sound judgment, responsibility, and being a good student), and whether it was important for their children to have certain skills such as knowing how to swim. Respondents were also queried about their satisfaction with the cleanliness of their homes, the amount of space in the home, the quality of the main meal of the day, and the amount of money available for them to do the things they want to do. Other questions asked by the survey include whether the auto industry would make a comeback, the main reasons the auto industry was in trouble, if the respondent or any of their children had ever gotten into trouble using matches or fire and the consequences of those actions, and whether all important decisions in the life of the family should be made by the man. Background information on individuals includes race, age, sex, household composition, marital status, income, occupation, religious preference, education, and union membership.

This Detroit Area Study was primarily concerned with investigating the process of mate choice over time and the impact of mate choice experiences on marital success. To this end, the survey questioned ever-married women about their dating and mate choice history, marital history, and satisfaction with and problems in existing marriages. Respondents were questioned about the steady boyfriends they had before their first marriage and whether they seriously considered marrying another man before they married their first husband. Women who answered in the affirmative to the latter were queried about the race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic characteristics of the man they had most seriously considered marrying before marrying their first husband, how long they went out together, and how the relationship broke off. Questions on the respondent's first marriage covered such things as how and where the respondent first met her husband, her age when they met, how long they were engaged, whether or not they lived together before marrying, whether she had doubts or sought advice about the decision to marry before the wedding, and whether her parents or her husband's parents approved or disapproved of the marriage. Women were also questioned about their career expectations before their first marriage, the religion and socioeconomic status of their first husband, and the date, place, and size of the wedding celebration as well as living arrangements in the first six months of marriage. Questions on the current or most recent marriage covered topics such as the marital division of labor, child-rearing practices and values, friendships shared with the husband, and satisfaction and and interaction with the husband, including the degree of communication, affection shown, disagreements, and physical abuse. Additional information gathered by the survey includes number children ever born, number of stepchildren and adoptions, and the age, race, ethnicity, education, religion, religiosity, employment status, occupation, and early family background of the respondent.

The 1985 Detroit Area Study surveyed life events of respondents. Questions addressed alcohol and drug use, emotional state, incidents of depression and fear, stress caused by children and work, and respondent's general health. Information on the respondent's family background was also collected, with specific emphases on children, parenting, and marriage. Gender comparison questions were posed to explore in detail issues such as the benefits/responsibilities of marriage, marriage roles and careers, and division of housework tasks. The survey also included items on the respondent's financial situation, social life, social support network, and demographic characteristics such as age, race, sex, education, religion, and income.

The 1987 Detroit Area Study is a replication of Gerhard Lenski's 1958 study on religion titled DETROIT AREA STUDY, 1958: THE RELIGIOUS FACTOR (ICPSR 7279). In addition to providing standard personal and demographic information such as age, sex, race, religion, marital status, and occupation, the survey also gathered data on the economic and political behavior of respondents and their kinship institutions, as well as the commitment of individuals to socio-religious groups. Questions tapped areas such as inter-group images, class and ethnic distinctions, family and child-rearing patterns, and attitudes toward work, unions, spending, saving, welfare legislation, civil liberties, foreign affairs, minority group rights, and legislation on moral issues. Questions on religion covered doctrinal orthodoxy, the role of religious leaders in politics, and the effect of religion on politics as well as daily life.

The 1988 Detroit Area Study addressed attitudes toward issues such as retirement age, Social Security, funding for the care of the elderly, perceptions of the elderly, and personal experiences with care of the elderly. Respondents were also asked about their views regarding government spending on elderly assistance, health care, welfare, and job programs. Demographic characteristics of respondents include employment status, years of residency in the Detroit area, education, religion, age, sex, race, and income.

The 1989 Detroit Area Study is a social, economic, and political profile of the tri-county Detroit area (Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties). This study addresses fundamental issues of inequality and explores the public's views on crime, education, class, and race. Assessments of the nature and extent of citizen involvement in these community problems and issues are included. A substantial part of the study is devoted to a detailed examination of the extent of racial segregation in the tri-county area, with particular attention to the gap between Blacks and whites in economic resources, vulnerability to crime, assessments of community problems, and political participation. Demographic characteristics of respondents include marital status, education, age, race, sex, employment status, union membership, and income.

This survey focused on issues and problems facing residents of Detroit and the surrounding metropolitan area in 1990, including environmental concerns, problems with law enforcement and drugs, crime, education, housing, jobs, cost of living, welfare, taxes and government services, government administration, moral values, and other concerns. Respondents were asked about the importance they placed on each issue and the perceived priority the government gave to each issue. Environmental issues were further examined with respect to specific environmental concerns, such as pollution, exposure to hazardous waste, loss or harm to wildlife and/or their habitats, and the depletion and conservation of natural resources. Respondents' degree of political and community involvement was gauged through questions regarding their voting behavior, their work for or involvement with a political party or community organization, and the type of community organizations to which they belonged. Racial attitudes were also probed, with questions on the economic position of African Americans, political and economic equality, and attitudes toward African-American subgroups (young, older, middle class). Demographic information includes respondents' gender, age, marital status, race, ethnicity, area of residence, type of residence, duration of residence, and whether the residence was owned by the respondent or rented.

For this survey, respondents were asked to consider key historical national and world events since 1930 and to describe the impact of these events upon their lives and why these events seemed especially important. The list of events respondents were queried about included the invention of the television, the decline of communism in eastern Europe, the Korean War, the Great Depression, the civil rights movement, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, space exploration, terrorism and hostage-taking, and the threat of nuclear war. Those queried were also asked about events or changes that were especially poignant to them and whether they kept memorabilia from the past, such as items from World War II, the Holocaust, or the Vietnam War. Specific questions on the events of World War II were included in the survey. Respondents also answered questions regarding events or changes related to their own interests, such as religion, sports, music, television, and films. Background information includes religion, marital status, education, employment, political orientation, and income.

This survey focused on factors that influence social change in the Michigan tri-county area of Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne counties and the changes that have occurred over time with respect to different ethnic groups and women. Respondents' opinions were sought on issues such as job discrimination, including pay and promotion on the basis of race, ethnicity, or gender, factors that influence employers in hiring decisions, such as experience in line of work, formal education, references, looks and appearance, age, race, and gender, possible reasons for Blacks' having worse jobs, income, and housing than Whites, and factors that affect this situation, such as racial discrimination, perceived inferior ability, lack of educational opportunities, and lack of motivation on the part of Blacks. The survey also elicited respondents' views on factors influencing residential segregation, including the lack of affordable housing for African Americans and other ethnic minorities and the lack of Whites' acceptance of these ethnic minority groups in White neighborhoods. Other variables probed respondents' attitudes toward interracial marriage, segregated and desegregated schools, all-Black male and all-Black female public schools, nonviolent and violent means of social change among Blacks, government legislative measures such as the cut in welfare cost, parental approval for under-age abortion, the amount of federal taxes paid, and affirmative action for women and African Americans in job training, education, hiring, and promotion. Also explored were respondents' feelings about the quality of city and neighborhood services, public schools, crime, and the desirability of living in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties and some of the suburbs around Detroit. Additional variables examined respondents' views on comparative wealth and intelligence among ethnic groups such as Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, Arab Americans, and Whites, the degree of discrimination toward Hispanics, Blacks, Asians, and women, and the high degree of self-reliance among immigrant groups and nationalities in the United States as compared to United States minorities such as African Americans. Questions on the respondents' educational background covered the level of education and professional qualifications. Additional information gathered by the survey includes duration of residence in the tri-county area and at the current residence, place of previous residence, employment status, place of employment, mode of transportation to work, income, current debts and assets, job benefits, previous military service, information on family and household members, religious denomination, presidential candidate preference, age, race, ethnicity, skin tone if Black, marital status, and gender.

The 1993 Detroit Area Study explored a variety of issues related to health, the effects of aging, living conditions, and participation in civic life in the Michigan tri-county area of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. A battery of questions probed respondents' perceptions of their health and mental state and those of their spouse, their ability to perform certain physical and mental activities, and the effect of their emotional state on their appetite and sleeping patterns. Other explored their feelings about neighborhood safety, means of transportation, relationships, accommodation, the portrayal of older people on television programs, and the treatment of older people by employers. The survey also sought respondents' opinions about government, their personal financial situation and problems, money management, savings and investments, and their life as a whole. Additional items questioned respondents about the frequency of their visits to the doctor, overnight hospitalization, chronic health conditions, smoking and drinking habits, and medical coverage, as well as electoral participation, political party preference, ideological leanings, class self-identification, assistance received from community organizations, family, and friends, personal regrets, and time spent watching television and engaging in pleasurable activities. Other questions gauged respondents' memory, vision, and motor skills. Respondents also provided demographic information on sex, age, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, and education.