A study examined the interplay among the initial family context of noncollege-bound youth, their entry into the full-time adult labor force, and formation of their families. The social psychological literature suggested that parents and other family members played an important role in teaching youth about the value of work, provided them with many experiences that prepare them for employment, and helped connect them with job opportunities. Their parents, other family members, and their own children exerted influence on youth employment patterns in a wide variety of ways, influence that both enhanced and impeded employment. Little research was found that investigated the causal relationships among family living arrangements, family responsibilities, and patterns of youth employment. The issues were complicated by the simultaneity of the processes involved, that is, relationships of cause and effect were intertwined. A few job training and employment programs have begun to target young parents, offer employment services to other family members, and encourage parental involvement. It is concluded that public policies aimed at improving the transition of noncollege-bound youth to the adult job market must take into account the likely influence of the family context of youth--both families of origin and the families they create. (Commentaries on this paper by Frank F. Furstenberg and Margaret Simms are attached.) (YLB)