The family life of young people in South Africa from survey data: The case of North-West University

This article presents a comprehensive description of student survey data on family life that was collected at the North-West University, South Africa between 2015 and 2016. Responses were obtained from 835 students in the three campuses of the university with the use of multi-stage sampling (stratified and systematic sampling techniques). Data analysis was carried out using tables, frequencies and percentages. The findings reveal that about one-tenth of the respondents live in richer households, one-fifth live in poorer households, while a significant proportion of more than two-thirds live in middle-income households. Less than half of the sampled respondents live with both parents, while about three-in-ten respondents live with either parent. Also, there is a significant relationship between opinion of engaging in premarital sex by young people and household wealth index.