Abstract
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.
Highlights
Most Western countries make use of systems with a minimum age and cut-off dates for school entry and youth sport teams [1]
There is an age difference up to 12 months between pupils within one school class or team, leading to accompanying cognitive, social and physical differences between children born just prior to the cut-off date and those born right after [1, 2]. This phenomenon is called relative age and its consequences are known as the Relative Age Effect (RAE) [3]
A second strand of research focused on the presence of RAE in sports and showed substantial disadvantages for relatively younger sports players; they were overrepresented in sports teams at the lowest level in many sports
Summary
Most Western countries make use of systems with a minimum age and cut-off dates for school entry and youth sport teams [1]. There is an age difference up to 12 months between pupils within one school class or team, leading to accompanying cognitive, social and physical differences between children born just prior to the cut-off date and those born right after [1, 2]. This phenomenon is called relative age and its consequences are known as the Relative Age Effect (RAE) [3]. Previous research on RAE has found negative consequences for relatively younger pupils compared to their older peers in education and sports. A second strand of research focused on the presence of RAE in sports and showed substantial disadvantages for relatively younger sports players; they were overrepresented in sports teams at the lowest level in many sports
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