This book reports on the Youth Development Study, which followed young people for more than a decade in St. Paul, MN, focusing on work experiences during high school. Chapter one, "Should Adolescents Work" discusses historical and contemporary studies, gender differences, controversies, and the cases for and against adolescent work. Chapter two, "The Youth Development Study," describes the research site, data collection, and subject retention methods. Chapter three, "Time Allocation and Quality of Work," discusses study measurements, types of first paid work, paid work during high school, and contrasts between current and historical work experiences. Chapter four, "The Ecology of Youthwork," describes family, school, and volunteer work and the balance between these and extracurricular and leisure activities. Chapter five, "Precursors of Investment in Work," discusses why teenagers want to work and the differences in experiences between youths of differing socioeconomic backgrounds. Chapter six, "Working and Adolescent Development," discusses the long- and short-term consequences of working during adolescence. Chapter seven, "The Transition to Adulthood," addresses the relationship of work to education, socioeconomic attainment, and family formation. Chapter 8, "Working and Becoming Adult," describes job changes over time, the psycho-social consequences of youth work, and policy implications. The document contains appendixes on panel selection and chapter notes, extensive references, and an index. (SLR)