Join the growing movement to change how our community sees teens. Reading your story can help other young people deal with the tough times. If you ever need to talk about this or anything else, feel free to get in touch with us. For example, if a pal pressures you to smoke, ask her why she smokes, how to deal with peer pressure how long she has smoked, if she minds having ashtray breath. When you’re faced with a choice, ask yourself what your reasons are for doing something. If it’s because all of your friends are doing it and you’re afraid they won’t talk to you if you don’t join them, then you may want to reconsider.
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. Even if no one tells the teenager to smoke a cigarette in the example above, the teen may still feel pressured by their peers to partake in the activity because it seems like everyone is doing it. Though peer pressure is not usually used to describe socially desirable behaviors, such as exercising or studying, peer pressure can have positive effects in some cases. 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.
Young Adults and Teens
However you’re feeling, there are people who can help you if you are struggling. If your friends are always bugging you to do something you’re not comfortable with, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ remember that true friends like you for who you are, not who they want you to be. Supporting others’ opinions will send the message that you think for yourself.
- Knowing the facts can help you to resist pressures based on the idea that “everyone is doing it” and that you must party to fit in.
- Remind yourself every now and then that you’re special and nuke any negative statements.
- Asking questions out loud to a friend or a group of peers when in a tough situation may help win allies and take some of the pressure off.
- Navigating the mass of college students to find the group you fit with best is challenging.
Peer pressure refers to the fact that peers can pressure one another to engage in certain behaviors — both positive and negative. 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. Unspoken pressure to conform can play a significant role in substance use. According to a 2012 study, passive peer pressure has a greater effect on teen smoking than active pressure.
Peer Pressure and Addiction
One-time use of such drugs may cascade into addiction more quickly. This is applicable, especially when learning how to deal with peer pressure. Dangerous substances can wreak havoc on mental health and wellness. It’s imperative that a person intervenes when drugs become problematic. In addition, the prefrontal cortex – a critical component of decision-making – is still developing from ages 12 to around 17. This interaction can trigger risky choices like drinking underage, using drugs, or participating in criminal activity.