This description and analysis of the lives of 32 young Comprehensive Employment and Training Act participants presents youth perspectives on the nature of the employment situation and the interacting factors which affect youth's employment chances, on the individual developmental process, on reasons for coming to and expectations of employment and training programs, on the experiences within these programs, and on success in as well as the subsequent effects of participation. It consists of eight chapters. Each chapter contains participant case histories and information on such topics as labor market institutions, employment problems, and program services. (Material presented is from the Youth Perspectives Project conducted from November 1978 to December 1979.) Chapter 1 contains background on the education and employment needs of participants. Chapter 2 discusses participants' family life. Community-related problems are examined in chapter 3, and school life is covered in chapter 4. Youth work attitudes and perceptions of the world of work are outlined in chapter 5. Chapter 6 covers job training and employment programs, and chapter 7 deals with career plans, life goals, and employment outcomes. A description of the Youth Perspectives Project and a bibliography are appended. (MN)