A medical reason, like an allergy that makes it dangerous for you to do something, could be used. You can even just use the good old “my parents need me home” if you feel it would be best to leave the situation altogether. But this could come in handy if you’re in a situation where you can’t think of something else.

Below find tips on how to deal with peer pressure and avoid making tough decisions that may trigger adverse outcomes. It’s important to remember that peer pressure isn’t always negative. It can be good to have a core group of people your own age who support you and help you make positive decisions. When you’re involved with other people doing the right thing, it can help keep you on track. You may find that you like the idea of fitting in with people who are making the right choices and treat you with respect. Peer pressure can be both subtle and overt and manifest in various ways.

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That’s because, in attempting to fit in with peers, teens want to please. They don’t want to say no for fear of alienating themselves. Your friends can also influence you in good ways, so it’s essential to surround yourself with people who support your goals and encourage you to make healthy decisions. For parents, you must speak with your children about the harm that can come with groups of friends that have bad intentions.

• And when you do what’s right, you might set a good example for your peers.
• They want to be liked and they worry that they may be left out or made fun of if they don’t go along with the group.
• Think of different scenarios that spark discomfort and think about how to deal with peer pressure.
• Here are six other ways to help your child resist peer pressure and stay on the right path.

Equipping teens with a variety of communication strategies empowers them to make good decisions when faced with peer pressure. These are skills that not only support their ability to make it through tough situations today but will also serve them far into adulthood. As a teen, you may be pressured to do things like drink alcohol, use drugs, have sex, shoplift, sneak out of the house, vandalize property, drive dangerously, skip school or cheat on tests. While it can be tempting to give in when all your friends are doing something, it’s never worth it. As a result of this built-in reward pathway, individuals may feel coerced into taking risky actions that they would otherwise avoid.

List of reminders to help avoid Peer Pressure

Find a friend who shares your values and back each other up. For example, you might see what kids in your class are wearing, like it, and wear something like that, too. Your peers might watch what you do and start doing it, too.

Many adults are susceptible to drinking too much because their friends are doing it, or putting work before family because they’re competing with other people in their office for a promotion. It is so important to have friends with similar beliefs and values. If you choose friends who push you to be better, encourage and support you, and respect your boundaries, your life will be much easier! It can really help to have at least one other peer who is willing to say “No,” too.

Connor’s Story – Youth Engagement Service

You must also help them understand that there are times when it’s all right for them to say no. Taking illegal drugs, or driving with someone who has been drinking, are examples of times in which safety demands they say no. If they are being pressured by friends to smoke cigarettes they might say, “No thanks. I feel sick from even just being around smoke.” Although we want our children to be polite, it is also vitally important, particularly for our girls, to know that a firm “No! When people learn to set their own limits, they’ll feel more in control of themselves in many situations throughout their lives.

Sometimes, kids see what others are doing and they want to be perceived as part of the “in group,” so they begin to act or dress like these people, doing what they can to fit in and follow along. Parents can so easily place their own expectations upon a teen who is in the process of discovering what they want to do with their life. Parents might expect their child to go to law school when in fact he or she might want to become an artist.

How to Deal with Peer Pressure

It’s acceptable to make excuses in order to avoid making decisions that you may believe are not in your best interests. If you’re looking for ideas to help you teach your child the social skills to handle peer pressure, consider sharing these seven methods with them. Abstract Adolescence is a transitional period, where an individual transition from a child to an adult. During https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/dealing-with-peer-pressure/ this period, adolescent teenagers are highly prone to experience peer pressure in them schools. The types of peer pressure individuals face in society today are vastly different when compared to records a few years ago. Peer pressure is a powerful social construct as it has the ability to influence an individual from what to wear, say, do or wheatear or not to engage…

But, worries about how we look, the desire to be accepted, sometimes even the willingness to do something just to fit in continue to affect us whether we’re teenagers or seniors. These peer pressure social skills resources were authored by Watson Institute’s special education consultant, Andee Morris, M.Ed. These tips are meant to support the self confidence in your child so that he or she can make powerful choices that are in favor of safety, autonomy, self-discovery, and self-love. You deserve to surround yourself with supportive people who respect your decisions—not people who pressure you into doing something that doesn’t feel right. Instead of quickly agreeing to do something you’d rather not do, pause and take a few deep breaths. If someone is waiting for you to answer them, tell them you need to take a few days and think about it.

When you feel like one group of friends is trying to get you to do something you don’t want to, find better friends who can help you get through the situation. You might find that you spend less time with the negative peers and more with those who are a more positive part of your life. If you’re struggling with peer pressure, seek support from trusted adults such as parents, teachers, or guidance counselors. They can provide guidance, support, and advice on how to navigate complex social situations. In the case of teens, parents are rarely concerned about the peer pressure their kids may face to engage in sports or exercise, as these are typically seen as healthy social behaviors.

• Extended family, teachers, counselors, clergy, and coaches are also good resources.
• If they are being pressured by friends to smoke cigarettes they might say, “No thanks.
• Rather than worrying about the effects of their children’s friendships, parents would do well to focus on creating a positive, supportive home environment.
• Surrounding yourself with the wrong persons, exert a strong influence on you.
• Let’s say your friends are okay with it and are encouraging you to do it; if you feel like it’s not right, odds are it really isn’t.

If they seemingly feel unable to come to you, for now, let them know it’s also okay to seek guidance from a trusted adult other than yourself. Extended family, teachers, counselors, clergy, and coaches are also good resources. They can provide advice and help deal with pressure-filled situations. It’s essential to understand most peer pressure isn’t like it looks in movies or TV shows.