The study examined the hypothesis that occupation and residence patterns present after high school graduation are generally predictable. The data come from a homogeneous, all white central Minnesota farming community with a 1961 population of 3,300. The study population is the 1961 high school graduating class, who were surveyed by questionnaire 10 years later. The 101 returns investigated 1971 occupations, place of residence, marital and family status, and spouse's occupation. Since the data represent the author's own graduating class, both an "outsider's" and "insider's" interpretation are used. The analysis differentiated between men and women because societal pressures, restrictions, and expectations channel the sexes in different directions. Also, high school activities tended to enforce sex related roles, such as in athletics, which is an exclusive male endeavor, while the female supports and encourages such functions. The study concluded that, as a group, this class had more females than males, and over half grew up on a farm. Over 50 percent of the women were housewives; the rest were in professions commonly associated with their sex. Likewise, the majority of the men were blue collar workers, conforming to established patterns. For residence a definite preference for the familiar area was displayed--3/4 of the graduates remained in Minnesota, although only 21 resided in their hometown. In general, persons sampled were behaving in a proper, acceptable manner as defined by middle class America, thus supporting the roles learned in their formative years. (KM)

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