The purpose of this study was twofold: firstly to investigate differences of values and risk perceptions among young people in rural and urban areas. Secondly to propose a qualitative alternative to examine values in the tradition to Inglehart and Rokeach, who have a quantitative approach. The hypotesis of this study was that it is possible to understand differences of risk perceptions between young people in rural versus urban areas by analysing differences of values between the groups. In this study risk perceptions have been studied according to Beck's theory of risk and risk society. Four homogenous (age, sex) focus groups were made, two in a rural and two in a urban area of Sweden. The respondents had to make decisions togehter about values. They also discussed risk in general and specific examples of risks. The validity of the results was guarantied by using valid tests, trasformed for use in focus groups. The results indicate that a qualitative approach, i.e. focus groups, gives a deeper understanding of Inglehart and Rokeach theories of values, and the study also demonstrates very interesting tendencies when it comes to differences in values and risk perceptions among young people in risk society.