Youth... Community Surveys. Bulletin, 1936, No. 18-VI

The period of youth is the real beginning of life's adventure. The individual has secured a background of facts and reaches out for the meaning that lies beyond. Ideals are sullied, powers are expanding, opportunity seems assured, and the romance of existence is undimmed. Red-blooded courage, devoted friendship, and high aspiration are its emblems. Accomplishment and success are hopefully expected and the future beckons with its prospects and its promises. Such is the American dream for youth. Many an adult looking back on its own youth of 40, 30, 20 or 10 years ago will recall the engaging uncertainties, the uneasy suspense. The dream was not all realized, but in its essential features it was. What about the youth of today? What does the future hold for him? What are his conditions, his needs, and his interests? Many communities have tried to find answers to these and other questions regarding their young people. By reference to the bibliography at the end of this bulletin one will find the names of the communities which have undertaken youth surveys and carried them to the point of publication. Naturally, many other communities have made various studies, but the reports are not available for distribution. The principal findings of these youth surveys are brought together in part I of this bulletin. Appended are: (1) Youth Census Schedule; and (2) Youth Survey Schedule. A bibliography is included. Individual sections contain footnotes. (Contains 21 tables.) [Best copy available has been provided.]