THE TENDENCY FOR YOUNG AMERICANS TO ACHIEVE INDEPENDENCE, COMBINED WITH THE LONG-ESTABLISHED TREND OF RURAL-TO-URBAN MIGRATION, PROVIDES A BASE FOR THE MIGRATION OF RURAL YOUTH. THE BASE IS BROADENED BY THE PROCESSES OF CHANGE WHICH HAVE MADE THIS COUNTRY INCREASINGLY URBAN. THERE ARE FOUR FACTORS INVOLVED IN THE MIGRATION OF RURAL YOUTH TO CITIES EACH YEAR--(1) THE MOTIVES AND ASPIRATIONS OF RURAL YOUTH ARE INSTRUMENTAL TO DECISIONS TO MIGRATE. MIGRATION IS INNOVATIVE WHEN A PERSON MOVES TO ACHIEVE SOMETHING NEW, IT IS CONSERVATIVE WHEN THE OBJECTIVE IS TO RETAIN WHAT HE HAS. (2) OVERPOPULATION IN THE HOME COMMUNITY MAY SERVE AS A PROPELLING FORCE FOR RURAL YOUTH, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO ARE URBAN-ORIENTED. (3) SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS INFLUENCE THE MIGRATION OF RURAL YOUTH. FOREMOST ARE EMPLOYMENT, INDUSTRIALIZATION, TECHNOLOGY, THE BUSINESS CYCLE, AND STATUS-ASPIRATION. (4) THE FAVORABLE OR UNFAVORABLE REACTIONS OF YOUTH TO THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES CAN EASILY INFLUENCE THEIR DECISION TO MOVE. WHEN A DECISION IS CALLED FOR TO MIGRATE TO A CITY OR TO REMAIN IN A RURAL AREA, THE RURAL YOUTH IS A VICTIM OF CIRCUMSTANCES. LEGALLY HE MAKES HIS OWN CHOICE, IN REALITY HE IS REACTING TO A MULTITUDE OF INFLUENCES ABOUT WHICH HE CAN DO LITTLE. THE RURAL YOUTH, LIVING IN AN ECONOMICALLY DEPRESSED AND ISOLATED COMMUNITY AND HAVING PARENTS WHO HAVE INSTILLED THE DESIRE TO ACHIEVE OBJECTIVES WHICH CAN BE SATISFIED ONLY IN AN URBAN CENTER, IS ALMOST CERTAIN TO MIGRATE. IF HE HAS BEEN ADEQUATELY EQUIPPED AND PREPARED THROUGHOUT HIS EARLY YEARS FOR SUCH AN EVENTUALITY, THERE IS NO PROBLEM EITHER FOR HIM OR HIS FAMILY. ONLY WHEN HIS AMBITIONS OUTRUN HIS ABILITIES AND EXISTING OPPORTUNITIES IS HE LIKELY TO ENCOUNTER ADJUSTMENT PROBLEMS.