Youth Leadership Preferences

Jerold W. Apps, University of Wisconsin

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Abstract

To determine if lower socioeconomic rural youth need different types of leaders than do higher socioeconomic rural youth, 10-13 year olds in Adams County, Wisconsin, were asked about their preferences for adult leaders. The study questions revealed (1) the respondents' desire for either a democratic, authoritarian, or laissez-faire leadership style, and (2) their preference concerning personal characteristics of a leader. The results differ somewhat from findings reported in the literature. The author feels that his findings are particularly relevant in regard to rural youth.