This document is one of a series by the Youth Development Center at the University of Minnesota dedicated to the interdisciplinary discussion of youth problems. The topic under discussion includes two questions: (1) What do young people need to cope with the problems of a complex society and themselves? (2) Where and in what ways can opportunities be made available to provide this need? Much of the discussion concerning what is made available to help young people cope is bound up with the issue of how one deals with the acceptance of variety. The discussion focuses on the family which recognizes and respects separateness and on adults who deal with young people and bring a whole variety of backgrounds and behaviors to the relationship. The opportunity for youth to understand the process of goal-attainment is integrally related to how individuals learn to respect differences and deal with competing needs. The ability of schools and institutions to provide opportunity to cope revolves around how they deal with variety, whether they demand conformity and stereotype racial or socioeconomic groups, or whether the institution allows youth to participate in the school's development program. Institutions can meet young peoples' needs only by respecting individual development and self-concept. (Author/DE)