To determine the relationship between attitudes and feelings of the middle woman, aged 35-55, and the present youth culture, both intrapsychic factors and environmental conditioning, as well as historic/cultural reasons were examined, using an attitudinal survey, administered to a sample population of middle to upper class suburban women. Categories explored were the mass communications media and advertising, the physical aging process, and sexism in socio-economic, sexual and cultural roles. Responses from "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree" were tabulated. Variables of age and marital and work status were cross tabulated with selected attitudinal responses. Results indicated that middle-year women had definite feelings and attitudes in direct relationship to a culture which they viewed as youth oriented. Respondents, regardless of age, status, or occupation, expressed the need for recognition and acceptance of their experience, knowledge and physical appearance. However, there was ambivalence in their desire to look young in order to maintain social, sexual, and economic opportunities. They attitudinally and behaviorally reacted to a youth oriented phenomenon in a society that afforded the young adult the greatest advantage in the life cycle. (Author/CKJ)