Kids as young as five actually prefer people who break unfair rules over those who follow them.
March 19, 2026
Original Paper
Children’s Assessment of “Good Trouble”
PsyArXiv · kq9ds_v3
The Takeaway
We often assume children are strictly rule-bound and see all rule-breaking as 'bad.' This research shows that by age five, children can distinguish 'good trouble' and will actually choose to affiliate with rule challengers if they are protesting arbitrary or unfair norms.
From the abstract
Across two experiments, children (N = 259, ages 4–10) evaluated protagonists who either protested unfair, arbitrary rules ("good trouble") or upheld the status quo. Study 1 demonstrates that from age 5, children prefer affiliating with rule challengers who engage in good trouble by protesting unfair, arbitrary rules and norms. Study 2 reveals that by 7-8 years, children's endorsement of breaking unfair rules is moderated by the consequences of protest, with decreasing support as the severity of