Blog - March 17, 2022

Negative Peer Pressure & How to Deal with it

Positive peer pressure, on the other hand, can help prevent substance abuse and addiction. Research suggests simply having friends who choose not to smoke, use drugs, or drink alcohol can make it less likely young people will use substances. Many people consider peer pressure a negative thing, but this isn’t always the case. People, especially teens and young adults, may be more likely to do prosocial behaviors when they see people their own age doing the same things. For example, research has shown that teens with friends who volunteer are more likely to volunteer themselves.

How Do Peers Affect You?

If you are a young person who has experienced peer pressure, you are certainly not alone. From my own experience, I have seen how peer pressure affects people at school, college, university and beyond into adult life. Nearly everyone ends up in a sticky peer pressure situation at some point. No matter how wisely you choose your friends, or how well you think you know them, sooner or later you’ll have to make decisions that are difficult and could be unpopular. It may be something as simple as resisting the pressure to spend your hard-earned babysitting money on the latest MP3 player that “everybody” has. Or it may mean deciding to take a stand that makes you look uncool to your group.

Blame Parents

Peer pressure in younger children tends to be limited to copying bad behaviors such as acting out or taking things that don’t belong to them. Peer pressure is the process by which members of the same social group influence other members to do things that they may be resistant to, or might not otherwise choose to do. Peers are people who are part of the same social group, so the term “peer pressure” refers to the influence that peers can have on each other.

Peer Pressure in Older Teens and Young Adults

Some young people choose to maintain friendships at the expense of their values. Throughout life we will have different values than coworkers and friends. Part of raising teens includes helping them develop the skills to be clear about their values, while still interacting with people who may have differing ones.

Children’s Health Family Newsletter

Seeing peers use substances regularly can also give the impression that the substances are safe to use or won’t have any negative effects. Peer pressure can not only bring about changes in behavior, but also thoughts, opinions, and feelings. While peer pressure is most frequently used to describe the influence of friends on teenagers, all people can be subject to peer pressure. When a person has been pressured into unhealthy habits, a counselor can help the individual reevaluate and change their behavior. Nurture connections with those who build you up as is, not those who require you to compromise core aspects of yourself to belong.

• Parents can influence the odds that teens are surrounded by positive peer groups by encouraging participation in a variety of healthy activities.
• We all know what it’s like while dealing with peer pressure when so much seems to be riding on performance and meeting goals.
• It’s natural for people to identify with and compare themselves to their peers as they consider how they wish to be (or think they should be), or what they want to achieve.
• Being there for teens when they are faced with the challenges of peer pressure can make all the difference.

We’ve got tips and info to help you out in these tricky situations. Talk out any peer pressure you’re experiencing with other friends who are also feeling the squeeze. If you know there’s going to be alcohol or drugs at a party, make other plans. Or, if you’re going out with a guy, avoid being alone with him… anywhere he might pressure you to get more physical than you want to be. It’s common for teens to talk less to parents and more with friends. But when it comes down to it, teens want to know and value their parents’ opinions — especially on tough topics such as sex and drug use.

Teach Teens to Stay Away

“They made me do things I didn’t want to do. I felt anxious, pressured and lonely.” Focus your attention on following your personal goals instead of the goals of the group. Remind yourself every now and then that you’re special and nuke any negative statements.

Important Information for Teachers

Be prepared to deal with peer pressure by having a response ready. Avoid places where people do illegal activities or other things you feel uncomfortable around. Lean on people for support, like your friends, family, or a therapist. The effects of peer pressure can manifest differently in each person.

According to a 2012 study, passive peer pressure has a greater effect on teen smoking than active pressure. In other words, teens with friends who smoke are more likely to also smoke. Although parents worry about the influence of peers, overall, parents also can have a strong influence on whether children which of the following is a type of indirect peer pressure? succumb to negative peer pressure. Usually, the term peer pressure is used when people are talking about behaviors that are not considered socially acceptable or desirable, such as experimentation with alcohol or drugs. There may be a day when your child makes a bad choice because of peer pressure.

• If you have questions or concerns about your child’s mood, self-esteem or behavior, consider a consultation with a trained and qualified mental health professional.
• Though peer pressure is often thought of as something that happens primarily during adolescence, research suggests peer pressure begins in elementary school, often around the age of 9.
• You might feel pressured to have sex if you’re afraid of what your partner or friends will think if you don’t.
• While dealing with peer pressure, you can start documenting your emotions in a journal that provides a healthy approach after submitting to negative peer influence.
• Peer pressure occurs when a peer group exerts direct or indirect pressure to do certain actions.

She looked bored and detached as she followed her friends Suki and Jill out of the store, but inside she felt panicked. Some kids give in to peer pressure because they want to be liked or they think it helps them fit in. Some worry that other kids might tease them if they don’t go along with the group. They might go along if they think, “Everyone’s doing it,” even though they know better.