Measuring Relationships in U.S. Federal Household Surveys

• Activity Number: 334
• Type: Invited
• Date/Time: Tuesday, August 6, 2013 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
• Sponsor: Government Statistics Section
• Author(s): Jamie Lewis Thomas*+ and Paul J. Scanlon*+ and Virginia Cain*+
• Companies: U.S. Census Bureau and National Center for Health Statistics and National Center for Health Statistics
• Keywords: household relationships ; same sex relationships ; statistical policy ; marital relationships ; Federal surveys ; relationship measurement

Abstract

Legal and societal changes have resulted in increasingly complex family configurations, living arrangements, and marital and household relationships. These changes are challenging the frameworks and tools that Federal statistical agencies have for measuring and reporting household relationships and marriage data. Measurement of same sex relationships in Federal surveys, in particular, requires improvement. An interagency working group on measuring relationships in U.S. Federal household surveys was established to research the complex measurement of marital and household relationships, consider uses of data and implications for programs and measurement, and prepare recommendations to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and other Federal agencies to improve data on marriage and family relationships. After a description of the group's charge, panelists will present current measurement, programmatic and policy uses of collected data, and empirical research results toward improved measurement. Contribution to relationship measurement more generally will be posed. Discussants will pose scientific and policy implications of findings, reflect on measures, and suggest future work.