Youth Look at National Problems. A Special Report from the Youth in Transition Project.

Survey data from 2200 young men, collected primarily during summer, 1970, is presented and analyzed. Issues under consideration include: (1) Vietnam; (2) National Unity; (3) Racial Tensions; (4) Crime, Violence, and Public Order; (5) Pollution; (6) Population Growth; (7) the Economy; (8) the Threat of Nuclear War; and (9) what young men feel they can do. A summary of major findings indicates that (1) Vietnam is considered, by young people, to be the number-one United States problem; (2) there is increasing mistrust and cynicism about government; (3) young people overwhelmingly support the 18 year old vote; (4) race is still a problem, but further government intervention is not the solution; (5) many young men favor firmer police and court action against crime and violence; (6) pollution, too, should be dealt with by stronger laws, rigid enforcement, and stringent penalties; and (7) contraception is the answer to overpopulation, though young peoples' knowledge about contraception is rather limited. Several conclusions are drawn, one of which is that much work is needed to educate young people for responsible citizenship. (TL)