Youth
If you’re between the ages of 9 and 14, you’ve probably experienced peer pressure. Peer pressure is when a person feels like they should do or not do something in order to fit in or be accepted by their friends or peers. Sometimes peer pressure can be a good thing when it encourages us to try something new or make a healthy change, but there are also times when a person can feel pressured to do something more risky or make a decision that could be harmful to their self or to others. That’s why it’s important to make sure your decisions are right for you based on what you think and try not to worry so much about what others are doing.
FAQs
Peer pressure is when your friends or peers try to persuade or pressure you to do something. Peer pressure can be positive like when someone is feeling pressure to study more to improve their grades, to exercise more or eat healthier foods. It can also be negative when it involves something unsafe or possibly dangerous like lying, stealing or drinking alcohol.
Situations involving peer pressure can be anything from how to spend your money to what to wear or not wear to how to act in different situations. Sometimes peer pressure might be easy to spot such as a friend pressuring you to do something or go some place you don’t want to. Other times it can be more subtle and be a feeling you have about how kids in your grade dress, act or behave. Peer pressure can be a powerful force sometimes to encourage us to make healthy choices, but other times it can involve risky things like smoking, drinking, experimenting sexually before we’re ready, cutting class, breaking curfew, stealing, etc.
This is likely to happen to everyone at some point, so first know that you’re not alone in dealing with this. It can help to have an “exit” plan in place, such as telling your peers that you can’t because your “parents won’t let you” or “your parents would kill you.” Most parents are happy to be the excuse you need to get out of a sticky situation. It can also help to be clear about what your boundaries are. You can then practice things to say or do to get out of a situation if you need to clearly communicate your boundaries or if your boundaries are not being respected by others. Some kids have a secret symbol or phrase they text their parent or other trusted adult if they need help getting out of a tough situation.