Risk Taking Behaviour

In conclusion, this dissertation has explored the topic of risk taking behaviour amongst young people aged 14-18. Chapter 1 aimed to identify what risk taking behaviours occur in modern Britain, as well as considering why young people put themselves in danger, and the consequences of it. The first part of the chapter explored the different types of risk taking behaviours, which focused on alcohol, drug taking and risky sexual behaviour. These proved to be the most popular types of risk taking behaviour amongst young people aged 14-18. The chapter also explored why young people put themselves at risk. This question found that peer influence and family influence can play a part in young people’s decisions. The Social Learning Theory is also used

as an explanation, as behaviour that is deemed as positive amongst peers or family members will be reinforced, whether it puts the individual at risk or not. This aspect provides an interesting suggestion as to why young people may participate in risk taking behaviour. Lastly, the consequences of risk taking behaviour were discussed. This included peer rejection, negative health benefits and the long term effects of risk taking behaviour. An example of this is that young people who take drugs in their teenage years are more likely to have drug addiction later in life (Anthony and Petronis, 1995, Winters and Lee, 2008). This chapter looks at risk taking behaviour and its consequences. It explores in depth the issues linked to risk taking behaviour, and why young people may put themselves at risk.

Chapter 2 explored how social media and other media may influence the different types of risks young people aged 14-18 engage in.

It was found that social media sites such as Facebook may encourage young people to participate in risk taking behaviour as it allows them to discuss risky topics and share experiences with their peers away from judgement (Lenhart, 2009; Winpenny, Marteu and Nolte, 2014). It was found that social media presents risky behaviours of their own. As well as giving young people a platform to discuss risky behaviour, it also presents issues such as young people sending sexual images to each other through social media. This point answers the aim of the chapter, which was asking whether social media and other media influences young people into participating in risk taking behaviour, as it is evident that it does in some cases. As well as this, it was found that media such as television programmes can influence young people. This is because in some cases, they show risky behaviours such as binge drinking to be positive. This also explores the question whether media that is not online can influence young people. Evidence has suggested that it can (Al-Sayed and Gunter, 2012), as young people may think that risky behaviour is ok because they saw it on television. Other factors that have been found to influence young people’s behaviour are environmental factors. It was found that young people who have been abused are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. This may be because they want to numb their emotions attached to their experiences. This chapter explored the different influences that may impact young people into participating in risk taking behaviour, and the evidence discussed has suggested that there are many different aspects of media that may influence different risk taking behaviour. For example, drugs may be discussed positively on social media, and alcohol is shown as positive on television. Overall, this chapter fulfilled the aim that

looked at what may influence young people to participate in risk taking behaviour.

This dissertation has identified many different strategies that aim to prevent risk taking behaviour. Government strategies such as the Government Alcohol Strategy (HM Government, 2012) identify that young people are putting themselves at risk from drinking alcohol, and aim to reduce it through different means. Other government strategies discussed include the Reducing demand, restricting supply, building recovery: supporting people to live a drug-free life strategy (Home Office, 2010), which aims to reduce the amount of young people taking drugs. The government strategies discussed focus on the importance of educating young people into making better decisions for themselves, as well as considering the implications factors such as low-priced, accessible alcohol have on young people’s decision to drink alcohol. This answers the chapter question as it identifies prevention strategies that aim to prevent young people aged 14-18 from putting themselves in danger. In the future, there may need to be more government strategies that identify and prevent risky behaviour. Specifically, although 14-18 year old drinking has been found to have decreased, it still occurs, which suggests that more needs to be done. In conclusion, each research aim and the dissertation question has been explored.

Charity prevention schemes were also found to help reduce the amount of young people putting themselves at risk. These were found to focus on educating young people on the dangers of risk taking behaviour, rather than intervening with individuals. For example, the NSPCC release documents on their website advising what to do if you believe a young person is displaying risky sexual behaviour. This identifies that there may be an issue, but provides advice and facts that help young people to make their own decisions. This explores a different aspect of preventing risk taking behaviour, where young people can go online, which was considered by some as a risk taking behaviour if an individual does not use it correctly, and view advice about how to prevent risk taking behaviour from occurring. How schools and parents deal with young people who are putting themselves in danger is also explored in this chapter. This aspect seems to be more practical based, dealing with individual issues if possible. For example, schools may call on external talkers to educate specific classes about drugs and alcohol (James, 2011). This shows that the school can indirectly educate specific individuals and their peers against putting themselves at risk. As well as this, it is considered how parents influence their children when it comes to them participating in risk taking behaviour. It was found in chapter 1 that if parents were drug abusers themselves, it would higher the chances of their children following in their footsteps. However, it was also found that parental monitoring and an open, supportive relationship have preventative effects on young people participating in risk taking behaviour. This shows that there are many different aspects that can influence young people, and it can be down to consequences rather than just parental influence. Charity, school and parental prevention strategies provide an exploration into the different prevention strategies that can impact whether a young person participates in risk taking behaviour or not.

In conclusion, this dissertation has explored the types of risk taking behaviour young people participate in, as well as questioning what influences them and the consequences of risk taking behaviour. As well as this, ways to prevent this behaviour from occurring was explored. The evidence gathered in this dissertation identifies that young people are participating in risk taking behaviour for a number of reasons. This behaviour has consequences, and each individual may need a different prevention strategy to help a young person from putting themselves in danger. Each aim was explored through the research presented in each chapter. The area that explores what other factors influence young people to participate in risk taking behaviour has limited research, other than the family and peer influence. This area needs further research. The evidence provided for charity prevention strategies is also lacking, so this could also do with further work. For future research, other risk taking behaviour, such as internet risks such as meeting people on online chat rooms, could be explored to see whether this has different influences than the already discussed behaviours.