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Subject:

PDHPE

Fun can be dangerous scenario

Student:
Class:

AJ

8S

Introduction
Not all risk-taking activities are dangerous or unhealthy. There are things that can
create excellent results, both in personal satisfaction and social acceptance, which
are both legal and healthy. For example, physical activities, such as participating in
extreme sports under controlled conditions (rock climbing, triathlon, bicycle), are
both fun and increase a young persons popularity amongst the peers.

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Factors influencing risk-taking behaviour in the case study Well be OK

Desire for social acceptance
Peer pressure is the most important influencer in risk taking. It is of utmost
importance for teenagers to be accepted by their peers. Those with high academic
and/or sporting abilities are accepted on those merits, but those less able tend to
take dangerous risks to get noticed.
Curiosity
Teenage years are time for experimentation - we are inexperienced in life skills and
need to explore our own limits and abilities and try new, both good and bad, things.
This is part of growing up, which lasts until a person has reached full maturity. In
our case study, we have teenagers trying alcohol and drugs.
Different standards
Some teenagers assess risky situations differently from not only their parents but
from their peers as well. In other words, they do not see the danger in their
actions. This can be attributed to personality characteristics but, at this age, it is
more due to lack of life skills. In our example, it is manifested in the disagreement
about the use of cannabis and considering getting a lift with a driver who is under
the influence of alcohol.
Personality traits
Due to their own personal characteristics, some teenagers are more likely to
engage in an illegal activity. The children from the beginning of our story have lied
to their parents.
Surroundings
It is worth noting that dark and noisy venue reduces the chance of spotting the
danger and encourages risk-taking or illegal activities.

Other background factors influencing risk-taking behaviour (not directly

mentioned in the case study, but present nevertheless)
Parental role modelling if the children experience their parent practicing unsafe
activitires or consuming alcohol or substance of abuse, they will consider such
behaviour acceptable and are more likely to practice it.
Sensation seeking willingness to take risks for the sake of that that experience,
both physical (adrenaline rush) and social

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Predict the potential harms of the risk taking behaviour from the case
study
Before listing the potential harms, I would like to summarise the instances of
behaviour in the study case that are inappropriate for Yr 8 children:
-

Lying to their parents/guardians that they are going to the cinema instead
of a party

Alcohol consumption

Cannabis consumption

Considering driving in a car with an older, drunken, driver

Potential harms of lying

-

It is against basic moral principles.

In case of an emergency, parents/guardians will waste precious time trying

to find out childrens whereabouts.

Lying diminishes trust between parents and children. Next time we have to
go out with friends, we may be grounded.

Lying hurts the feelings of our parents.

In a long run, lying corrupts the persons character (people may start
calling him/her a liar).

The God gave people ability to speak to accurately express their thoughts
and feelings, so lying is against those religious beliefs.

If not immediately discovered, liar may start believing that the wrongs are
acceptable and start doing more serious crimes.

Potential harms of alcohol and drug consumption

Some of the effects are the direct result of alcohol and drugs and can be identified
immediately, over the next few days, or may affect us in the long run.
On the other hand, some harms are indirectly caused by changes that happen in
our brains and subsequent wrongdoings after consumption of alcohol and drugs.
Finally, while only the first four of the potential harms listed below are actually
mentioned in the 9pmcomment of the case study, all of the other ones are implied
by the 10pm comment about friends feeling effects of alcohol and cannabis use.

DIRECT harms

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Impaired speech, by 9pm

Reduced coordination, by 9pm

Reduced inhibition, by 9pm

Affected decision making ability, as the students are prepared to take a lift
with a drunken driver to get back home on time.

Fighting/brawling often accompanies alcohol and drugs use.

Hangovers, commonly accompanied by headaches, nausea and vomiting,

shakiness etc.

INDIRECT harms
-

Sex due to impaired decision making ability, persons under the influence
are more likely to engage in unsafe sex activities. Some of the potential
dangers are:
o Sex without condom
o Date (single person) rape and gang rape (group, usually three or
more)
o Sexually transmitted disease
o Unwanted pregnancy

Drink driving or committing other crimes

Childrens brains are more affected by alcohol because the part of the
brain affected controls motivation, impulse control and addiction and this
part of the brain continues developing by the age of 25.

Long-term drinking and drug use leads to the permanent brain damage.
Some of the symptoms are memory problems and affected balance.

Self-harm, suicide, serious injury or death can result as a combination of

all of the above dangers. For example, drowning is often reported in the
media as a result of the victim being intoxicated.

Potential harms of driving in a car with the driver under the influence of drugs
and/or alcohol
-

High risk of accident

Possible serious injury or death

High risk of date or gang rape

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Proper behaviour for Yr 8 students, during the dance night with friends
(or, how would I behave in a situation like our case study)
Parents
-

I would brief my parents on the type of party, venue, start and finish
times, security arrangements (if known), names of friends accompanying
me etc.

Ensure that my mobile phone is turned on at all times and check regularly
for parents messages.

Provide a list of my friends mobile phone numbers in case I do not

respond to my mobile phone.

My parents would drive me to the venue and also pick me up because they
do not like me driving in the car with others, even other parents.

Party timing
-

I would not go to the venue more than 15-30 minutes before official
starting time.

I would not stay more than 15 minutes after finishing time, and that is
only if I had to keep company to one of my female friends until their
parents arrived. In cases like this my parents often volunteer to take them
home anyway.

Consumption of food and beverages

I usually have a meal at home to avoid having to consume food from untrustworthy
places but, if necessary, I would purchase either a snack in a sealed packet or have
a meal in a restaurant (if there was one).
As far as beverage consumption is concerned, drinks spiking is a realistic danger
today. I was instructed by my parents to, whenever available, only purchase soft
drinks that are in plastic bottles and keep the lid on at when not in use.
Alternatively, if canned drinks only are available, I was told to keep the can in my
hands at all times.
I would never share a drink with others, nor would I drink a beverage of a
suspicious origin (cocktails, punches).
Dealing with problems
As I explained previously, there are many dangers surrounding kids at the parties. I
would flatly refuse consumption of alcohol and drugs. If it looked like it would
appear that I was uncool, I would simply explain that my swim training regime
does not allow me to consume this type of substances.

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I would also strongly advise my close friends not to take any of the prohibited
substances. If they did, I would tell my parents.
Alcohol and drugs often cause fighting at the parties. I would attempt to avoid
confrontation, but in any case would ensure to know the position of security guards
on duty and alert them if need be.
I would attempt to help my friends if they were in trouble.
I would not take advantage of someone that was under the influence.

Areas for improvement - Safer strategies

Venue organisation
-

Lighting should be appropriate, not necessarily bright but sufficient enough

not to have dark corners in the room.

Beverage supply I would insist on resealable packaging.

It would be good to have pre-packaged and sealed sandwiches available

for sale.

Security and supervision

-

Security guarding is necessary in all public clubs but I would recommend

compulsory body search prior to entry.

Internal video surveillance should also be mandatory for underage parties.

Parental supervision should be encouraged. While maybe not directly at

the party, the parents/guardians should be nearby and able to check on
kids.

Personal protection
-

If we already know that alcohol increases likelihood of sexual activity,

condoms should be available for purchase at the venue.

If parents are not at the party, drop off and pick up of kids should be
organised in advance.

Bibliography

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Alcohol - teenagers | Better Health Channel. 2011. Alcohol - teenagers | Better

Health Channel. [ONLINE] Available
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BBC - Ethics - Lying. 2011. BBC - Ethics - Lying. [ONLINE] Available

at:http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/lying/lying_1.shtml. [Accessed 03 November
2011].

Factors Influencing Adolescents' Decisions To Engage In Risk Taking Behavior Research and Read Books, Journals, Articles at Questia Online Library. 2011.Factors
Influencing Adolescents' Decisions To Engage In Risk Taking Behavior - Research
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November 2011]

Peer influence on risk taking, risk preference, ... [Dev Psychol. 2005] - PubMed NCBI. 2011. Peer influence on risk taking, risk preference, ... [Dev Psychol. 2005] PubMed - NCBI. [ONLINE] Available
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Raising Children Network, Teenage risk-taking: how to handle it

http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/risktaking_teenagers.html [Accessed 03
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