Based on large-scale surveys of high school seniors in the classes of 1975 through 1984, this paper presents findings which have a bearing on the quality of life of young people. Most seniors planned and hoped for marriage, children, and material well-being; however, the last few graduating classes showed increased concern about attaining those goals, and thus placed growing emphasis on job security, status, and income. At a global level, concerns about the threat of nuclear war have increased substantially from the mid-1970s to the early 1980s; the predominant view among young people appears to be that world conditions will not improve during the next few years. Analyses of drug use showed growing use of marijuana from 1975 through 1979, followed by a decline during the past few years. The decline accompanied increasing proportions of respondents reporting the belief that regular use of marijuana carries great risks of harm. (Author/TE)