This book analyzes in detail the various economic and socioeconomic factors that affect deprived urban youth in five cultures. Various possible hypotheses and variables that influence youth to enroll in school, participate in the labor force, or remain inactive are measured. Among the selected variables that are examined are: enrollment aspects; labor force participation; inactive status; sources of entrepreneurship of deprived youth; nutritional determinants of deprived youth; determinants of deprived youth's utilization of medical facilities; and, cultural differences of deprived urban youth. An overview chapter examines in a non-statistical manner the conclusions reached, and weights their importance and implications for urban deprived youth. A final chapter on policies and programs studied past economic programs designed to aid the youth in his urban environment. Both the strong points and shortcomings of past programs are exposed in a discussion of alternative programs and policy recommendations to move the deprived urban youth into the mainstream. A discussion of the social cost implications of overlooking this vast reserve of future supply of human capital is also included. A major finding is that the social and psychological attitudes that mold a youth's view towards life play a larger role than economic factors in his decision to work or not. (Author/AM)