THE HISTORY OF PUERTO RICO SHOWS THAT THE LAST 20 YEARS OF PLANNED PROGRESS UNDER ITS FREE POLITICAL STATUS HAVE PRODUCED INDUSTRIAL AND AGRICULTURAL REFORMS WHICH HAVE BROUGHT A HIGHER STANDARD OF LIVING TO THE RURAL AREAS. THESE IMPROVEMENTS HAVE CREATED A DESIRE FOR THE URBAN WAY OF LIFE WHICH HAS RESULTED IN AN EXODUS OF RURAL YOUTH. THIS PAPER WAS PREPARED FOR PRESENTATION AT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PROBLEMS OF RURAL YOUTH IN A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT (SEPTEMBER 1963). (SF)