More popular because you're older? Relative age effect on popularity among adolescents in class

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 16; no. 5; p. e0249336
• Main Authors: van Aalst, Danelien A E, van Tubergen, Frank
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 05.05.2021; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Age Factors; Biology and Life Sciences; Demographic aspects; England - epidemiology; Female; Humans; Male; Netherlands; People and places; Popularity; Schools - statistics & numerical data; Social aspects; Social classes; Social Sciences; Students - statistics & numerical data; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sweden - epidemiology; Teenagers; Youth; England; Sweden; Netherlands
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249336

Previous studies have found a significant effect of pupil's month of birth on their school- and sports performances. The current study investigates whether this so-called relative age effect also exists in a rather unexplored domain, namely popularity among adolescents in school classes. Whereas prior studies examined relative age related to the cut-off date at primary school entry, we also study possible relative age effects regarding the age composition within pupils' current school class. Data are from nationally-representative surveys among 14-15 year-old pupils from the Netherlands, Sweden and England. Results indicate a statistically significant positive relation of both types of relative age with popularity status in classes. The relation of past relative age is particularly strong in England, which has a system of social promotion, whereas current relative age is strong in the Netherlands, with its system of grade retention. These findings underscore the importance of education policy.