At this age, peer pressure has the potential to affect a child’s long-term health and well-being and put them into dangerous situations. Cultivate relationships with peers who respect your views and encourage you to be your best self. Supportive friendships can provide a buffer against negative peer influences (Demaray, Malecki, Davidson, Hodgson, & Rebus, 2005). Learning to express your thoughts and feelings how to deal with peer pressure confidently and respectfully can help manage peer influence.
Types Of Teen Peer Pressure
For example, of the 29% of teens who responded they felt peer pressure to look “good,” girls were more likely than boys to say they feel a lot of pressure to look good (35% vs. 23%). Sometimes peer pressure takes over your mental peace and the war between your true self and the one you want to show to others starts. This war of thoughts creates confusion in your mind about whether to follow your true self (stick to values) or do things your peers want you to do. Is it because all your friends are doing it or you are afraid that if you don’t do particular things your group is doing then they will not talk to you? Crosscheck the reason behind the urge to do something take some time and think about that situation from different angles.
- While peer pressure is often linked to negative behaviors, it’s important to recognize that not all peer pressure is harmful.
- Open communication is like a superhero’s cape when it comes to helping children tackle peer pressure.
- As part of adolescent development, teens must learn to maneuver the ins and outs of friendships and other relationships.
- This includes teaching them to say “No” effectively — stating their position clearly, standing their ground, while still maintaining relationships.
Building Resilience Against Social Media Pressures
For teens, connecting with mentors can provide guidance and support. Adults might seek professional mentors or peer groups that share similar values and goals, which can reinforce personal Alcoholics Anonymous and professional growth (DuBois & Karcher, 2005). Clarifying one’s values and beliefs is a crucial step in resisting peer pressure. Engage in self-reflection or use tools like value-sorting exercises to define what truly matters to you. This clarity can serve as a guide in decision-making processes (Schwartz, 2016). Peer pressure can negatively affect your personal growth and leave you feeling unfulfilled and disconnected from your true self.
Positive Peer Pressure: Turning Influence Into Strength
- While peers become increasingly important during adolescence, parents continue to play a vital role.
- We’re recognized experts on treating eating disorders, depression and other mood disorders.
- According to child and adolescent psychiatrist Akeem Marsh, MD, “it’s very easy to be influenced by peer pressure as we humans are wired as social creatures.”
- This skill is essential because it helps them stay true to their authentic selves and make choices that align with their beliefs and aspirations.
- It may also be a threat, such as, “You can’t hang out with us if you’re not going to drink.”
It can involve anything from engaging in risky behaviors like reckless driving to adopting unhealthy habits like smoking, and excessive drinking just to fit in with a particular group. Peers can be your friends who are about your age and have similar interests and experiences. Peers can also be other kids who are about your age and are involved in the same activities with you or are part of a community or group you belong to. You may not consider all of your peers to be friends, but they can all influence you. In answering these questions, students can write short ‘success’ stories about how they would resist such negative peer pressure.
