Risky behaviour
A version of this article first appeared in the October 2005 issue of Youthwork magazine
There's a fine line between what young people think is 'fun' and what adults think is 'just plain stupid'. So why do teenagers take risks, asks Arthur Brown.
Anyone who works with young people will have asked the question 'why do they do such stupid things?' As youth workers, it is important that we understand why young people, who are often identified as 'risk takers', do the things they do.
There are many activities in which young people participate, that we adults would label as 'risky'. Driving stolen cars, fighting, using illegal drugs, drinking alcohol excessively, unprotected sex, self-harm are all common examples. Risk-taking has been defined as 'the participation in behaviour which involves potential negative consequences (or loss) balanced in some way by perceived positive consequences (or gain)' (Gullone and Moore, 2000).
Perception
An individual's perception, and their perceived cost/benefit associated with 'risk activities' are unique to that individual. Although this may seem obvious, studies addressing adolescent risk-taking behaviour tend to adopt an adult-centric focus. In other words, judgements as to the wisdom of particular behaviour are adopted from an adult perspective that often fails to recognise the perspective of young participants.
Young people view certain activities differently to adults. We need to explore how they perceive their behaviour, deemed 'risky' by us, in order to be able to intervene in appropriate ways. The fact that adults are so caught up in the negative connotations of 'risky behaviour' means we lose sight of the fact that for many young people it is what they gain from participation that is central. To gain a better understanding of young people's motivation to participate in 'dangerous and risky' pursuits we need to focus on their perceived benefits. Motivation is the driving force behind behaviour. Key questions are therefore: what is it that makes young people behave in certain ways, and is their decision to participate based on rational decision making, or is it purely impulsive? Once we answer these questions we can support teenagers to take less 'dangerous' risks with their lives. How we answer these questions will affect how we relate to young people, and the type of youth work intervention we will use.
The popularity contest
Research has shown that for a young person's choice to participate in risky activities is based more on the likely positive outcomes, rather than the possible negative outcomes. This is the difference between adults and many young people's thinking. Young people place higher value on social popularity and their need to belong within a certain group of peers, than on conforming to socially held 'adult' norms or rules. If a young person perceives that the only way to be included in a group is for them to engage in accepted forms of behaviour (within the group's norms) then they are more likely to participate in such activities (despite wider held social norms) then to risk being excluded from the group.
During adolescence young people are also seeking more independence from their childhood figures of authority and may therefore demonstrate 'rebellious' behaviour which may result in being ostracised from those from whom acceptance is most craved - parents or carers for example. Young people want to take on adult roles and therefore in many ways seek to emulate behaviour that they regard as 'adult'. This will often include using certain drugs and alcohol, driving or riding motorbikes or participating in sexual activity, for example. All these behaviours may then be viewed as 'highly risky' (when undertaken by young people) and therefore frowned upon by many adults. It is not surprising that many young people get confused and as a result feel further excluded from society.
Significant research into risk-taking behaviour has identified that far from being a negative factor of adolescent development, in certain ways it is actually an important element of the process of becoming an adult. Young people who participate in certain experimental risk-taking are more likely to develop positive levels of autonomy and independence, whereas those who seek total avoidance of risk may limit their personal and social development. I think there is some balance needed here, as we would not want to encourage young people to take risks that would be likely to lead to serious harm to them or others.
Another crucial question when working with young risk-takers is: to what extent are their choices to participate in these activities based on rational choice or pure impulsiveness? The answer to this question will radically affect how we work with, and relate to, young people. It is my belief that too often we do not recognise young people's ability to make choices for themselves, particularly if they are not the choices we would choose for them. If peer acceptance, is more important than 'wider social acceptance' to young people (and therefore the potential benefit more significant that the potential cost]) it would seem that their participation in certain activities would be logical in their minds. If this is the case, we, as youth workers, should acknowledge this, and use this as a starting point rather than assuming what they do is irrational and illogical.
Other factors that would suggest that it is rational for young people to take risks is that they are going through a process in which they are developing an identity for themselves. Their participation in particular activities will help in this. There is a sense in which their identity is formed, at least in part, by being involved in certain activities. Behaviour therefore can become a symbol of identity that is taken on and valued by the young person. If for example a young person is known and respected by their peers for 'tagging' or 'driving' for example, they will take on this identity, and it will be this identity that will help them to belong within their group of peers. This need to belong will often make it difficult for an individual young person to break out of a cycle of potentially destructive behaviour. This is an important point for youth workers to consider.
A young person's general attitude to risk will affect all aspects of their life and general behaviour patterns. It is rare for young people to participate in only one significant risk activity because 'risky behaviours' are often linked. For example, being in a stolen car may take place under the influence of alcohol or certain drugs, and be followed by unprotected sexual activity. The link between violent behaviour and alcohol has been commonly recognised. A young person's willingness to break the law, or social conventions, in one respect, will often be an indicator that they would be willing to do so in other ways. This has implications for youth work intervention. Rather than simply focusing on one specific behaviour when working with young people, it will generally be more helpful and productive to come from a more general and holistic perspective, that identifies issues of motivation and belonging, rather than specific behaviour.
Potential causes of risk-taking
We have identified some of the potential 'positive' reasons why young people may take risks. Now it is important to consider some of the underlying reasons why they may be prepared to take risks with their lives and health. One factor that is very significant is that of hope, or to be more precise, hopelessness.
If young people believe that their future is going to be negative, regardless of what they do (including getting good qualifications) and therefore they have little chance of getting a well paid job, for example, then it is only natural that they will live for the moment, rather than planning for a future that is, in many ways uncertain anyway. There is a sense in which many young people, particularly those from poorer communities where unemployment is common, see little point in future planning, and therefore their behaviour is more about enjoying the moment. For many, the 'rush' associated with particular activities, and the acceptance from peers that these activities brings, is at the forefront of their minds, rather than the potential cost. There is also the view that 'it won't happen to me' for many young people. When something bad does happen, such as a friend being killed for example, the reality is often a huge shock for the friends that are left. If however, a young person already has a very low level of self-worth, they may not feel that any potential risk to them is significant anyway. This is where hopelessness can become a very dangerous emotion.
Intervention
How do we, as youth workers, work with young people in order to support them in their personal, social, and spiritual development, while at the same time helping them reduce the potential harm they may experience as a result of their behaviour? This is a key question. We need to recognise that social conditions will affect the behaviour of young people, and at the same time recognise that each young person is an individual, and should be treated accordingly. While it may not be very scientific, I think it is crucial that as youth workers we help young people to dream dreams, and then work with them to help them realise their own dreams. In doing this we will help young people make the connection between the present (the 'here and know' that dominates their focus) with the future (and the positive potential they may work towards). When talking to young people on an individual basis, in general they want a positive future that includes a good job, income, and family even if they do not see how they can possibly obtain it.
It may also be appropriate to address these issues not only on an individual basis but also with small groups of young people. By doing detached youth work, for example, meeting the young people on their own territory, it may be possible to get a better understanding of what motivates them, and also what their hopes and aspirations are. Often they will be able to recognise the causes of their behaviour, if given the chance. The role of advocate is central to youth work, and here is one place where it may be important.
The element of 'thrill seeking' seems particularly important for many young people. Youth workers may be ideally placed to facilitate young people's involvement in activities that may include the perceived element of risk, in a relatively safe environment. Activities such as climbing, kayaking, off road bike riding may provide for a young person's risk-taking need, while being in a fairly controlled environment. To assume this will always be enough is naive, but may form a base from which to work and an exciting entry point into a youth work setting for young people.
