Always know that you have a choice and that you don’t have to give in. And that if you have given in to anything and feel you made a poor choice, that you can change your mind and get out of the situation with some thought and planning.
Being a teen can be the most difficult time you will face in your life when there is negative peer pressure. Though it may not seem possible at the time you are feeling peer pressure, there are ways to deal with it. Everyone deals with it in one way or another. You can take control of it, or let it get to you. You may be able to turn the situation into a positive experience as well. Whether you recognize it or not, you are in charge. Here are some tips for dealing with peer pressure.
WHO ARE PEERS: Peers are the people you go to school with, your friends, the people you socialize with, people you meet through your business or social events that you are associated with, or would like to stay associated with.
WHAT IS PEER PRESSURE: When peers influence, or try to influence you to do what they are doing, it’s called Peer Pressure. With this being said, not all peer pressures are spoken or directed at you. There are times when you put the pressure on yourself. It’s complicated and easy all at the same time. However, much easier to understand when you know what it is and how it works.
Always remember, no matter what anyone says, no matter how they make you feel, you have a choice. Also know that you don’t have to give in and that you can be in control if you chose to. And if you feel anxious or sad, hopeless, bad, or depressed, that you can change things. It can be as simple as taking your mind of the pressure you are facing today to reflect on what you want for your future.
TYPES OF PEER PRESSURE
UNSPOKEN PEER PRESSURE – This is the peer pressure you feel without anyone saying anything. It’s a feeling of wanting to belong. A pressure we put on ourselves to be fashionable with a trend or to impress others. Though not always bad, these pressures can cause us to be better and also make mistakes.
If you feel like you have to do something to belong, make sure it is something good, that won’t hurt you or your future, and that it won’t hurt others. If it is dangerous or involves drugs, other substance abuse, or sex, make sure you really think it through before acting. Since it is pressure you have put on yourself, take the time to think about it before you act. Think about the consequences and how it can affect your future. Think about if it’s really worth it? Will you see these people after high school? In most cases, you won’t, especially if they are trying to get you to do something bad.
SPOKEN PEER PRESSURE – This is when someone or a group asks you do join in and do something with them. It can be something good like being on team, in a play, or to be in a school study group. It can also be not so good, if you are being asked to do something bad, or something that will hurt you, someone else, our your future. Here is a video worth watching on how to avoid costly mistakes.
INDIRECT PEER PRESSURE – Much like unspoken peer pressure, this pressure is caused by a feeling of wanting to belong, or that certain acts are desirable, because someone else is doing it. The positive side of this pressure, is that you can feel like you have to do better at something to be on a team, a study group, or in a class with the students you want to spend time with. You might also feel cool people do drugs, so I should try them. Or you may decide that is not a good choice if you look around and see drugs have ruined peoples lives, causing them to end up addicted, on the streets careerless or in jail. It is important to think about the future before you act. Young people are impressionable and thought to be stupid by the cool drug dealers, which is why you are targeted. They want you to think it’s cool to do drugs, so they can get you hooked.
See helpful articles on Bullying Link.
HIGH SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT 