Today's high school students encounter a diversity of complex issues affecting both their family and school relationships. It is necessary for parents, school personnel, and students to understand each other's perspectives. In recent years there has been a change in family patterns, societal expectations, and lifestyles. These changes have had a great impact on students and their personal adjustments and coping skills. Among the various concerns of high school students are home and family situations, personal problems, school related issues, and the effects of after school employment. A study was conducted to assess the attitudes of 450 students in 15 high schools in rural middle Tennessee concerning family life, parent relationships, individual social adjustment, and employment habits. An 18-item questionnaire to collect information about the students included the following: school absences; family structures; reasons for considering dropping out; reasons for considering running away from home; who is at home after school; communicating with parents; perceptions of parental discipline; contemplating suicide; parents working away from home; reasons for depression; drug and alcohol use and reasons for use; after-school employment; use of earnings; and the effect of working on grades. An item analysis of the questions is included. (ALL).