ALTHOUGH THERE IS A LOWER DELINQUENCY RATE IN RURAL AREAS, THE PROBLEM OF DELINQUENCY IS OF MAJOR CONCERN. THE NATURE OF DELINQUENT ACTS IS USUALLY IN THE FORM OF MINOR BURGLARY, TRESPASSING, AND GENERAL MISCONDUCT, WHILE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DELINQUENTS INCLUDE LACK OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, NEGATIVE ATTITUDES TOWARD SELF AND COMMUNITY, CHOICE OF FRIENDS WITH SIMILAR ATTITUDES, AND WITHDRAWAL FROM CONVENTIONAL ACTIVITIES. FAMILIES CONTRIBUTE TO DELINQUENCY BY CREATING DISTURBED PERSONALITIES, FAILING TO TEACH AND ENFORCE PROPER CONDUCT, AND BY FAILING TO PROVIDE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL BACKGROUND FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT. THE SCHOOL AIDS DELINQUENCY BY CONTRIBUTING TO ACADEMIC FAILURE, GENERATING DISCONTENT OR APATHY AMONG STUDENTS, CREATING AN UNREALISTIC CURRICULUM FOR NON COLLEGE BOUND YOUTH, AND ALIENATING FAILING STUDENTS. THE COMMUNITY ALSO AIDS DELINQUENCY THROUGH LACK OF INTEREST IN SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS, LACK OF ADEQUATE SOCIAL SERVICES, ABSENCE OF COORDINATION AMONG YOUTH-SERVING AGENCIES, LACK OF CORRECT GOAL DISCRIMINATION IN EFFORTS TO EFFECT CHANGES, AND SEGREGATION OF THE YOUNG VIOLATOR FROM THE COMMUNITY. THIS SPEECH WAS PRESENTED AT THE NATIONAL OUTLOOK CONFERENCE ON RURAL YOUTH, OCTOBER 23-26, 1967, WASHINGTON, D. C., SPONSORED JOINTLY BY THE U. S. DEPARTMENTS OF AGRICULTURE, HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE, INTERIOR, AND LABOR, OEO, AND THE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL ON YOUTH OPPORTUNITY. (JS)