This document measures two sociological theories against patterns which emerge from six studies on former student activists. Because the existing data neither confirm nor contradict each theory, a third orientation is introduced. Briefly stated, the social integration theory suggests that former activists assume adult work roles, retreat from their former radical politics, and participate only in the traditional political system. The generational cohort perspective predicts that activists will reject full-time employment and adult careers, maintain radical political beliefs, and reject traditional forms of political participation. However, results of the six studies indicate that former activists move into adult work roles in education, human services, and creative occupations; maintain liberal/radical political beliefs and ideological preferences; and mix institutionalized and uninstitutionalized forms of political participation. These contradicting results illustrate the importance of considering the influence of political socialization before the college years. The maintenance of political beliefs and behaviors into adulthood is a result of forces operating between and within generations; political socialization is not isolated in college experiences. Thus, the three socializing forces of adult work roles, membership within a generation, and intergenerational political socialization account for how former activists integrate into adult life. (KC)