Peer pressure and risk-taking behaviors in children

We asked 771 children in grades 5-8 about the dares or challenges they received from other children. A pilot study established categories for classification of the actions proposed ("What did they try to get you to do?"); the techniques utilized ("How did they try to get you to do that?"); and children's responses ("What did you say or do?"). Peer pressure was reported most frequently by 8th grade students. About 50 per cent of the dares encouraged problem behaviors that placed the children (or others) at risk for personal injury, or the potential development of habits hazardous to their health. With increasing age, more occurred in the school environment and fewer involved risk of personal injury. Among 7th and 8th graders, more boys were dared to perform acts of violence, and more girls were challenged to be sexually active.