Peer pressure is not limited to one age group, everyone should belong or feel connected to their own age group. Children and adults are associated with peer pressure. Adolescents, like adults, are influenced by their peer group. This is normal behavior and is modeled for teens by the adults around them. As adults, we are familiar with the expression “keeping up with the Joneses,” a feeling of wanting to fit in. Adults conform to the social standards set by their peers, and adolescents closely observe the adults who influence their lives.

Teen peer pressure is more than a phase that young people go through. Whether it leads to extreme hair and clothing, tattoos, or body piercing, peer pressure is a powerful reality and many adults are unaware of its effects. It can be a negative force in the lives of children and adolescents, often resulting in them experimenting with tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs.

Teenagers want to be with people their age. Children, especially during adolescence, begin to spend much more time with their friends and less time with their family. This makes them more susceptible to the influences of their peers. It is important to remember that teenage friends can have a positive influence on a young person. During adolescence, young people are more accepting of the feelings and thoughts of their peers. Peers can and do act as positive role models.

Parents, teachers, and other adults should encourage teens to find friends who have interests and views similar to what you, a parent, educator, religious and community leader are trying to develop in the teen. Critical views of adults include doing well in school, respecting others, avoiding drug use, smoking, drinking, and other risky behaviors.

During adolescence, young people engage in risky behaviors while trying to find their own identity and be more independent. This makes them very vulnerable to experiencing or becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol, sexual activity, and defiance of authority, especially if there is peer pressure to do so. Teenagers who use drugs are also more likely to get involved in gang activities, have low self-esteem, behavior problems, school performance problems, and depression.

Parents, teachers, religious and community leaders want to promote positive peer pressure among teens. Parents and other adults often believe that adolescents do not value their opinions. In fact, studies suggest that parents have a tremendous influence on their children, especially adolescents. Regardless of the age of their children, parents, caregivers, and other adult role models should never feel powerless to counteract the negative effects of peer pressure.

Here are some suggestions for what parents and other adults can do:

o Establish and maintain good communications
o Build strong self-esteem
o Avoid criticism that takes the form of ridicule or embarrassment.
o Monitor your teen’s activities
o Role-play peer pressure situations
o Talk openly and honestly about theft, alcohol, illegal drugs, and sex.
o Avoid attacking the adolescent’s friends: Criticizing an adolescent’s choice of friend may be perceived by a teenager as a personal attack.
o Be an involved parent
o Ask questions and enjoy listening to teens as they talk
o Involve teens in youth groups, community activities, and peer monitoring programs.
o Help the adolescent to understand the difference between image (expressions of youth culture) and identity (who he or she is)

Peer pressure during childhood and adolescence prepares young people to develop healthy friendships, self-identity, self-esteem, and self-reliance. It is healthy for everyone to talk about how they feel what they need, want, and want. Parents mistakenly assume that their adolescent does not want to talk to them, but the adolescent may not want to talk about their bad grades, bad behavior, and problems they are in. Teens are generally more willing to talk about something that interests them or something positive about them.
Get in the habit of talking to your teen every day. Building a strong, open relationship with him or her while young will make it easier for your teen to talk about problems, concerns, and other sensitive topics associated with school, relationships, and other life stressors.