Current developmental theory and research are inadequate in explaining the development of rural youth, but a mid-1970s study of adolescents from a small Maine community provided three patterns of growth and suggested four lessons for social service professionals who work with rural adolescents. The study of "Sawyer, Maine" (a pseudonym)…

Educational and occupational goals of low-income rural youth in 6 Southern states were studied longitudinally by administering questionnaires to entire fifth and sixth grade classes in 28 schools and, 6 years later, by locating the same students to again answer questionnaires. Completed questionnaires for both 1969 and 1975 were obtained from 702…