In order to determine West German rural youths' involvement in and availability to the mechanism of social change, surveys of youth aged 17-28 in towns of less than 5,000 people were made in 1955, 1968, and 1980. Between 1955 and 1980 the social structure of rural youth changed dramatically, especially in employment. In 1955, 55% of rural youth worked in their parents' firms or were self-employed. By 1980, the rate had fallen to 13%. In the same time period, the percentage of nonemployed students among rural youth rose from 2% to 22%. In 1980, over 50% of rural youth had more than an elementary education, versus 8% in 1955, but the 1980 youth surveyed were less inclined to increase their work output. In 1980 rural youth were far more mobile, self-confident, and independent of their parents. The young were less conservative than expected, as 78% were in favor of following new developments and innovations. Males, non-farmers, youth no longer living with parents, high school graduates, and newcomers to the rural area were more likely than their opposites to promote social change. Rural West German youth today appear willing to cooperate to solve societal problems. (SB)