gssdata 0.1.0

Python client for General Social Survey (GSS) data

gss

Python client for General Social Survey (GSS) data.

Installation

pip install gss

Quick Start

import gss

# Get time series for a variable
df = gss.trend("HOMOSEX")
print(df.head())
#    year  pct  n
# 0  1973   11  1446
# 1  1974   13  1434
# 2  1976   16  1466
# ...

# List all available variables
variables = gss.variables()
print(len(variables))  # 17 core variables

# Get variable metadata
info = gss.info("HOMOSEX")
print(info["question"])
# "What about sexual relations between two adults of the same sex..."
print(info["responses"])
# {1: "Always wrong", 2: "Almost always wrong", ...}

Features

• Simple API: trend(), variables(), info() - that's it
• Automatic caching: Downloads GSS data once, caches locally
• Pre-computed trends: Fast access to time series for key variables
• Full metadata: Question text, response options, first year asked

Available Variables

The package includes 17 frequently-studied GSS variables spanning social attitudes, political views, and trust:

Variable	Description
HOMOSEX	Attitudes toward same-sex relations
GRASS	Marijuana legalization support
PREMARSX	Premarital sex attitudes
ABANY	Abortion for any reason
FEPOL	Women suited for politics
CAPPUN	Death penalty opposition
GUNLAW	Gun permit support
NATRACE	Spending on race issues
NATEDUC	Spending on education
NATENVIR	Spending on environment
NATHEAL	Spending on health
EQWLTH	Government reduce inequality
HELPPOOR	Government help poor
TRUST	Social trust
FAIR	People try to be fair
POLVIEWS	Political ideology
PRAYER	School prayer ban approval

Documentation

Full documentation: maxghenis.github.io/gss

License

MIT