p This book is about the life of young people in the Soviet Union, the first country in the world to build a socialist society. Naturally, we cannot hope to give a complete and comprehensive picture of the life lived by millions of Soviet young men and women of different age groups, by millions of young workers, collective farmers (members of agricultural co-operatives), office employees, schoolchildren, students, and young specialists in all fields of the economy. The youth of the Soviet Union constitute millions of people in the most varied professions, with the most different life orientations, educational and cultural levels, tastes and needs, degree of participation in public activity, and so on.

p But for all the differences between individual (or even group) features and destinies, there are common features born of the essence and distinctive features of the socialist society. These include lofty cultural demands, ideals and aspirations, in particular the desire to work with all one’s might and main for the benefit of society, and an attitude of mind which regards work as the principal life task and the principal field for the application and development of one’s abilities; comprehension of the unity of interests and goals with the older generations, continued dedication to the cause and traditions of the fathers who made the revolution, built the powerful socialist state and defended it against all enemies; a feeling of responsibility for the country and its social production, and the consequent development of public activity, greater participation in the affairs of the 8 state and society; patriotism integrally united with socialist internationalism; and the constantly rising level of education, professional skill and general culture.

Some of these features are summed up and examined on the basis of facts, which have been supplemented by statistical data, collected throughout the country. In other cases, they are mentioned in sketches to illustrate the general in the particular.