# Dataset of children of young parents (ages 18-24)

**URL:** <https://forum.ipums.org/t/dataset-of-children-of-young-parents-ages-18-24/5149>\
**Category:** USA\
**Created:** [March 3, 2023, 10:27pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/dataset-of-children-of-young-parents-ages-18-24/5149 "2023-03-03T22:27:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Emily\_Wildau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/57b2e6/32.png) [@Emily\_Wildau](https://forum.ipums.org/u/Emily_Wildau)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2023, 10:27pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/dataset-of-children-of-young-parents-ages-18-24/5149/1 "2023-03-03T22:27:57Z")

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I used the SDA tool to do some analysis of parents ages 18-24 (young parents) in New Mexico using the ACS 5yr 2020 data, and I was able to get a lot of great information!

Now, I’m interested in doing an analysis of the children of these young parents, and I think I need to download a dataset. I know I have to attach characteristics, but I’m not sure if I need to attach characteristics for every variable I want to look at or just one specific variable to connect the records.

And when I attach characteristics, would I just need to select mother and father next to the appropriate variables? Finally, will the child information in this dataset be comparable to what I did with the SDA tool for young parents?

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**Author:** ![Ivan\_Strahof](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.ipums.org/ivan_strahof/32/626_2.png) [@Ivan\_Strahof](https://forum.ipums.org/u/Ivan_Strahof)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 3:51pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/dataset-of-children-of-young-parents-ages-18-24/5149/2 "2023-03-09T15:51:56Z")

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You will need to check the box to attach characteristics for each of the variables that you’re interested in for the mother and father. Doing so will create a new variable for each checked box that reports the respondent’s family member’s response to the particular question. Note that the attach characteristics tool uses IPUMS created variables [MOMLOC](https://usa.ipums.org/usa-action/variables/MOMLOC#description_section) and [POPLOC](https://usa.ipums.org/usa-action/variables/POPLOC#description_section) to determine each individual’s parents. You may be interested in reviewing the [documentation on family interrelationship variables](https://usa.ipums.org/usa/chapter5/chapter5.shtml) to better understand how these links are constructed (e.g. including social relationships such as step and adoptive parents). [This video tutorial](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98A9v-68vkY), though showing an older version of the website, should nevertheless help guide you through using the tool.