The data contain the structured parts of a reader survey conducted in 2000 by the weekly supplement NYT of the newspaper Helsingin Sanomat. The survey was directed to mothers of grown-up children. Respondents were asked whether they had brought up their children alone or with the father/stepfather and whether they embrace their children when meeting them (physical contact). Opinions on whether they see their children often enough were probed. Questions covered whether children ask for money from their mothers, do mothers have a key to their children's home and vice versa. Respondents were presented with a number of adjectives/statements and asked which ones could be used to describe their children. Mothers also evaluated how well they know their children. Parental behaviour and disciplinary tactics used by the respondents were charted. Respondents were asked what they had taught their children and what kind of activities had they shared with them. Background variables included, among others, the respondent's age, marital status, the number of children, their age and sex.

The number of respondents was 189. Most respondents were married. Respondents represented a variety of occupations and all socioeconomic groups. The sample is not statistically representative of mothers of grown-up children living in Finland.