Aspirations and life-orientations of the youngest generation (born 1941-65) living in the Polish Peoples Republic were analyzed in terms of observable evolution within this generation and identifiable characteristics of change. Data were derived from diaries collected in 1966 and a 1971 survey titled, "Young People: Self-Assessment and Life Goals", which included 14 age groups born between 1942 and 1955 and a total response of 1,948. Analysis of young people's aspirations as witnessed in the diaries indicated a quantitative preponderance of aspirations to cultural values (material and vocational values, participation in culture and organized leisure, skills and knowledge, personal development, and acquisition of social status and prestige constituted 41% of the responses) over aspirations to assume social roles. Responses to the 1971 survey corroborated the typology of aspirations found in the diaries in that the dominant aspirations were those concerned with vocational and material values, skill and knowledge development, and personal, informal ties. Both sets of data indicated that the aspirations of rural youth did not differ significantly from those of the Polish youth as a whole, suggesting that Polish youth had developed certain common ideals, a common model of culture, and a common value system. It was concluded that any characterization of rural youth as a distinct group from other peer groups was theoretically unsound. (JC)