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.
Jerold W. Apps (Sun,) studied this question.