PEER PRESSURE

1. Introduction:

Peers are people who you socialize with or that are similar to you in age, interests, or in some
other way. Peers can include people you are friends with, go to school with, work with or
meet at an event. 

Peer pressure is when you are influenced by other people (your peers) to act in a certain
way. If you're with friends who are doing something that you typically would not do and they
convince you to do what they are doing, that is an example of peer pressure.

Peer influence is similar to the peer pressure. It is when you choose to do something you

wouldn’t otherwise do, because you want to feel accepted and valued by your friends. It isn’t
just or always about doing something against your will.

2. Types of Peer Pressure:

For example, your child might be

Positive Peer influenced to become more assertive,
try new activities or get more
Pressure involved with school.

Some teenagers might choose to try

Negative Peer things they normally wouldn’t be
interested in, like smoking or
Pressure behaving in antisocial ways.

3. How to recognize Peer Pressure

Peer pressure and influence might result in teenagers:

 choosing the same clothes, hairstyle or jewelry as their friends

 listening to the same music or watching the same TV shows as their friends
 changing the way, they talk or the words they use
 doing risky things or breaking rules
 working harder at school or not working as hard
 dating or taking part in sexual activities
 smoking or using alcohol or other drugs.

4. Warning signs include:

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5. Suggestions:

The following are tips about peer pressure to share with your kids:

 Stay away from peers who pressure you to do things that seem wrong or dangerous.
 Learn how to say "no," and practice how to avoid or get out of situations which feel
unsafe or uncomfortable.
 Spend time with other kids who resist peer pressure. It helps to have at least one
friend who is also willing to say "no."
  If you have problems with peer pressure, talk to a grown up you trust, like a parent,
teacher, or school counselor.

Parents can also help by recognizing when their child is having a problem with peer pressure.
The following are tips for parents to help your child deal with peer pressure:

 Encourage open and honest communication. Let kids know they can come to you if
they're feeling pressure to do things that seem wrong or risky.
 Teach your child to be assertive and to resist getting involved in dangerous or
inappropriate situations or activities.
 Get to know your child's friends. If issues or problems arise, share your concerns with
their parents.
 Get to know how your child interacts with friends and others online. Communicate
openly about safe internet and social media use.
 Help your child develop self-confidence. Kids who feel good about themselves are
less vulnerable to peer pressure.
 Develop backup plans to help kids get out of uncomfortable or dangerous situations.
For example, let them know you'll always come get them, no questions asked, if they
feel worried or unsafe.