Key Statistics from the National Survey of Family Growth
A Listing
Adoption and nonbiological parenting
Percent of females 18-44 years of age who have ever:
20021 | 2006-20102 | |
---|---|---|
Adopted a child | 1.1% (0.6 million) | 0.9% (0.5 million) |
Taken steps to adopt a child | 3.4% (1.9 million) | 4.4% (2.5 million) |
Sources:
1Series 23, No. 25, Table 82 [PDF - 4.7 MB] (see also Table 83)
2Special tabulation by NCHS
20021 | 2006-20102 | |
---|---|---|
Percent of females 18-44 years of age who have ever cared for a nonbiological child | 12.6% (7.0 million women) | 12.7% (7.1 million women) |
Sources:
1Series 23, No. 25, Table 81 [PDF - 4.7 MB]
2Special tabulation by NCHS
20021 | 2006-20102 | |
---|---|---|
Percent of males 15-44 years of age who have ever adopted a child | 2.1% (1.3 million) | 1.4% (0.8 million) |
Sources:
1Series 23, No. 26, Table 61 [PDF - 3.5 MB]
2Special tabulation by NCHS
Attitudes
Condom use
Percent distribution of males 15-24 years of age by responses to specified statements, 2006-2010:
"What is the chance that if you used a condom during sex, you would feel less physical pleasure?"
No chance | Little chance | 50-50 chance | Pretty good chance | Almost certain chance | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Male | 12.3% | 26.0% | 26.0% | 21.1% | 12.4% |
Source: Special tabulation by NCHS
"What is the chance that it would be embarrassing for you and a new partner to discuss using a condom?"
No chance | Little chance | 50-50 chance | Pretty good chance | Almost certain chance | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Male | 58.8% | 21.5% | 9.1% | 6.4% | 3.3% |
Source: Special tabulations by NCHS
"What is the chance that if you used a condom, a new partner would appreciate it?"
No chance | Little chance | 50-50 chance | Pretty good chance | Almost certain chance | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Male | 1.7% | 3.4% | 12.7% | 42.2% | 38.0% |
Source: Special tabulation by NCHS
NOTE: Percentages in the tables on "Condom use" may not add to 100 because of rounding.
Marriage and cohabitation
Percent distribution of females and males 15-44 years of age by responses to specified statements, 2006-2010:
"It is better to get married than to go through life being single."
Strongly agree | Agree | Disagree | Strongly disagree | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Female | 14.7% | 34.7% | 36.7% | 11.7% |
Male | 22.8% | 43.2% | 26.6% | 5.4% |
Source: Special tabulation by NCHS
"Divorce is usually the best solution when a couple can't seem to work out their marriage problems.''
Strongly agree | Agree | Disagree | Strongly disagree | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Female | 8.6% | 34.3% | 40.0% | 16.1% |
Male | 7.5% | 35.2% | 40.2% | 16.2% |
Source: Special tabulation by NCHS
"A young couple should not live together unless they are married."
Strongly agree | Agree | Disagree | Strongly disagree | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Female | 8.8% | 22.0% | 50.3% | 18.0% |
Male | 8.0% | 20.0% | 55.9% | 14.9% |
Source: Special tabulation by NCHS
NOTE: Percentages in the tables on "Marriage and cohabitation" do not add to 100 because the category, "Neither agree nor disagree," is not shown here.
Parenthood and childbearing
Percent distribution of females and males 15-44 years of age by responses to specified statements, 2006-2010:
"The rewards of being a parent are worth it, despite the cost and work it takes."
Strongly agree | Agree | Disagree | Strongly disagree | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Female | 60.3% | 35.1% | 3.0% | 0.7% |
Male | 52.3% | 41.8% | 3.7% | 0.8% |
Source: Special tabulation by NCHS
"It is okay for an unmarried female to have a child."
Strongly agree | Agree | Disagree | Strongly disagree | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Female | 22.8% | 55.5% | 16.0% | 4.3% |
Male | 11.4% | 58.6% | 22.7% | 5.6% |
Source: Special tabulation by NCHS
"Gay or lesbian adults should have the right to adopt children."
Strongly agree | Agree | Disagree | Strongly disagree | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Female | 23.1% | 42.3% | 20.1% | 11.9% |
Male | 12.9% | 41.8% | 24.8% | 18.1% |
Source: Special tabulation by NCHS
Note: Percentages do not add up to 100 in the "Parenthood and childbearing" tables above because the category, "Neither agree nor disagree," is not shown separately.
"If it turns out that you do not have any children, would that bother you a great deal, some, a little, or not at all."
(Responses of those 15-44 years of age without any children)
A great deal | Some | A little | Not at all | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Female | 37.8% | 30.9% | 14.8% | 16.3% |
Male | 27.5% | 30.5% | 19.0% | 22.9% |
Source: Special tabulation by NCHS
"If you got pregnant now/got a female pregnant now, how would you feel?"
(Responses of those never married and 15-19 years of age.)
Very upset | Little upset | Little pleased | Very pleased | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Female | 57.5% | 29.1% | 8.2% | 4.8% |
Male | 46.6% | 34.0% | 14.3% | 4.3% |
Source: Special tabulation by NCHS
Sexual activity
Percent distribution of females and males 15-44 years of age by responses to specified statements, 2006-2010:
"Any sexual act between two consenting adults is all right."
Strongly agree | Agree | Disagree | Strongly disagree | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Female | 18.6% | 57.3% | 16.3% | 6.6% |
Male | 17.3% | 57.9% | 17.6% | 5.9% |
Source: Special tabulation by NCHS
"It is all right for unmarried 18 year olds to have sexual relations if they have strong affection for each other."
Strongly agree | Agree | Disagree | Strongly disagree | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Female | 6.4% | 48.9% | 28.7% | 15.0% |
Male | 9.3% | 52.9% | 25.5% | 11.2% |
Source: Special tabulation by NCHS
"It is all right for unmarried 16 year olds to have sexual relations if they have strong affection for each other."
Strongly agree | Agree | Disagree | Strongly disagree | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Female | 1.1% | 13.7% | 42.4% | 41.9% |
Male | 2.2% | 18.7% | 43.6% | 34.5% |
Source: Special tabulation by NCHS
Note: Percentages in the tables on "Sexual activity" do not add up to 100 because the category, "Neither agree nor disagree," is not shown here.
Work and family
Percent distribution of females and males 15-44 years of age by responses to the specified statements, 2006-2010:
"A working mother can establish just as warm and secure a relationship with her children as a mother who does not work."
Strongly agree | Agree | Disagree | Strongly disagree | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Female | 37.9% | 48.7% | 11.2% | 1.5% |
Male | 22.8% | 55.5% | 18.6% | 2.3% |
Source: Special tabulation by NCHS
"It is much better for everyone if the man earns the main living and the woman takes care of the home and family."
Strongly agree | Agree | Disagree | Strongly disagree | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Female | 6.3% | 21.7% | 45.2% | 25.6% |
Male | 6.9% | 28.1% | 48.5% | 14.6% |
Source: Special tabulation by NCHS
"It is more important for a man to spend a lot of time with his family than to be successful at his career."
Strongly agree | Agree | Disagree | Strongly disagree | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Female | 14.1% | 54.2% | 25.3% | 2.2% |
Male | 18.1% | 57.2% | 20.0% | 1.5% |
Source: Special tabulation by NCHS
NOTE: Percentages in the tables on "Work and family" do not add to 100 because the category, "Neither agree nor disagree," is not shown here.
Contact Us:
-
National Survey of Family Growth Staff
Division of Vital Statistics
National Center for Health Statistics
3311 Toledo Road
Hyattsville, MD 20782 - (301) 458-4222
- NSFG@cdc.gov