Content
Ask for advice or support from a parent or other trusted family member, a clergy person, a mentor, or a counselor if you need it. Stand up for others when you see them being pressured. “Bystander intervention” can be an effective way to support others and send a message. I think the best thing you can do to keep this from being a problem is to make friends with a bunch of different people. I think peer pressure is a really big deal if you only have one friend group, because the stakes are higher if they pressure you into something and you have to leave them.
Look for people with whom you share interests, like exercise, music, or student leadership-anything where you have more in common than drinking. Give them the information they need Never assume https://ecosoberhouse.com/ a young person knows everything they need to about risky behaviors, such as drugs, alcohol or unprotected sex. Rather, make sure they are well-informed by talking to them about it.
Fighting Peer Pressure
For example, if someone offers you a drink and you want to say no but feel awkward, say you’re on medication or have to get up early the next day. Klare Heston is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker based in Cleveland, Ohio. With experience in academic counseling and clinical supervision, Klare received her how to deal with peer pressure Master of Social Work from the Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983. Don’t get sidetracked by talking others out of the idea. Make “I” statements and stay focused on your own position. Be careful not to get baited into doing something by being called “scared” or “a chicken.” Stay firm in your own decision.
What starts out as positive peer pressure may become negative pressure if it leads a person to over-identify with sports, for example, putting exercise and competition above all else. 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. If their temporary lapse in judgment doesn’t cross into territory in which safety or morality are at risk, try to stay calm. Have a reasonable discussion after a bit of time has passed. It should be a conversation in which you don’t pass judgment. If possible, share a situation from when you were younger in which you made a mistake and explain what you learned from it.
Pay attention to how you feel.
Facing peer pressure is a good time for teens to learn how to have firm boundaries. However, they will tend to learn firm boundaries from their parents. Be sure to communicate to your teen exactly what you expect of your teen when faced with pressure to engage in risky activities. Positive influences, usually parents or siblings, can teach you how to deal with peer pressure directly. Having a trusted friend, family member, or another resource to call on can alleviate some of the everyday life stresses. They can be there to give advice or just support the decisions you’ve made that you feel are right for you.
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.
Join the College Life Community Today
Think about how you will respond in different situations.
- Maybe a kid in your science class taught you an easy way to remember the planets in the solar system.
- Bullying Most people likely do not think of themselves as bullies.
- Stay busy and avoid parties where you think drinking and drugs might be involved.
- Frenemies are those people you called your friends but at the same time were your rivals/enemies.
- Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us.
Most kids have a strong desire to fit in and are especially sensitive to being picked on, made fun of, or ostracized. Consequently, they’re often eager to do the things their peers tell them to do. Peer pressure can have both a positive or negative influence. Verywell Family’s content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.