An in-class survey of a sample of 345 (266 male and 79 female) college students enrolled in agriculture classes at a midwestern university was taken to determine whether different socialization patterns played a role in their decision to enroll in agricultural education. The survey included questions on attitudes toward men and women in society, demographic characteristics, characteristics of the family farm on which students grew up, mothers' and fathers' occupations, perceived support, and intended occupations. Some of the findings were as follows: (1) 95 percent of the males and 76 percent of the females reported aspirations for traditionally male occupations; (2) only 9 percent of the females, compared to 43 percent of the males, expected to be working as a farmer or rancher; and (3) more than half of the females were found to be nontraditional, whereas only 12 percent of the males were. The study concluded that some of the findings were supportive of part of the theory of gender role socialization. Perceived attitudes of mothers and fathers had significantly different influences for male and female students on students' own attitudes. However, mothers of students were all found to be predominantly traditional, not nontraditional, as theory would indicate. The findings suggest that counselors should be sensitive to the problems of young women who have nontraditional attitudes, perhaps different from their parents, and they should encourage such young women to pursue their agricultural ambitions. (26 references) (KC)