Students can learn that they are in control and that they have the power to resist. Support and guidance from teachers reduces the likelihood of students allowing negative peer pressure to influence their thoughts, words, behavior, and self-esteem. Peer pressure is a powerful force that can influence the behavior of children in a school setting. While many parents and educators are aware of the negative effects of peer pressure, recognize that this phenomenon also has positive aspects. In this context, it is useful to examine some common examples of good and bad peer pressure that children may face at school. The effects of peer pressure can manifest differently in each person.
Strategies to Handle Peer Pressure
Equipping teens with a variety of communication strategies empowers them to make good decisions when faced with peer pressure. These are skills that not only support their ability to make it through tough situations today but will also serve them far into adulthood. Because we all want to be accepted by our peers, it can be hard to be the only one saying “no” when faced with peer pressure.
Examples of Positive Peer Pressure
If you feel pressured by people to do things you’re uncomfortable doing, there are lots of ways to respond. Be prepared to deal with peer pressure by having a response ready. Avoid places where people do illegal activities or other things you feel uncomfortable around. Lean on people for support, like your friends, family, or a therapist. Rather than worrying about the effects of their children’s friendships, parents would do well to focus on creating a positive, supportive home environment. That way, even if your child is peer pressured to do something they don’t want to do, they’ll feel comfortable coming to you to talk about it first.
Behavior
Boredom can be a cause of stress for a gifted or advanced student who doesn’t feel challenged. School stress is common, but you can learn how to manage it and reduce its impact with a few simple strategies. We hear much more about direct peer pressure, as it is easier to detect and recognize as problematic. It sounds like someone telling you to stop worrying, start having fun, and be part of the group by participating in something you don’t feel comfortable with. It may also be a threat, such as, “You can’t hang out with us if you’re not going to drink.”
Peer pressure plays a pivotal role in a person’s mental health; it can force them to do something which can be either less harmful or have more serious consequences. Giving in can have minor consequences, like dressing a certain way, or more serious ones, like unsafe substance use at the time of how to tackle peer pressure. In-depth counselling can enhance poor self-image, communication skills, assertiveness training or early-stage addiction – all frequent factors in difficulty resisting peer pressure. Negative peer pressure is when someone who is a friend or part of a group you belong to makes you feel that you have to do something to be accepted.
- Amanda Berkey is a Pennsylvania-based writer and reporter with an M.S.Ed.
- Eden Pontz is Executive Producer and Director of Digital Content for CPTC.
- Be consistent with enforcement, but also be willing to adjust boundaries as they grow and mature.
- By the time they turn 7, children start caring more and more about what other kids think of them — and less about what their parents or other adults think.
Let Students Know You’re There to Help
Adolescents in Philadelphia can also benefit from support groups, therapy, or mentorship programs that help reinforce their self-esteem and decision-making abilities. When kids have a healthy sense of self-worth, they’re less likely to seek validation from their peers and more inclined to make decisions that align with their own values and beliefs. On the other hand, being exposed to peer pressure can have a negative impact on a child’s self-esteem (Uslu 2013), so it’s important to find ways to constantly build confidence and self-worth.
- Be prepared to deal with peer pressure by having a response ready.
- Peer pressure is a powerful force that can influence the behavior of children in a school setting.
- It can be just the push your child needs to join a new club at school, try a new sport, study for better grades, or attend college.
- According to Harvard Business Review, adults make about 34,000 decisions each day.
- I want to add that even though many schools have virtual or hybrid models in place, it does not mean that the risk of peer pressure will necessarily decrease.
- Practice polite but firm responses to peer pressure, and remember that it’s okay to stand your ground.
- As parents, we must be mindful of the impact of peer pressure on ourselves as our children will be observing and take notice.
Encouraging children to be honest and open can also help them build trust and develop strong relationships with their parents. Keep yourself in hobbies that inspire you, like art, sports, music and anything that makes you really happy. You can seek out student groups dedicated to service, spirituality, or activism.
He seemed to have better peer relationships, which led to an improvement in his overall mental health,” Betz said. Social pressure has a major impact on student decisions, and thankfully, it can go a long way when it comes to nudging students in the right direction. You deserve to surround yourself with supportive people who respect your decisions—not people who pressure you into doing something that doesn’t feel right.
Teaching communication skills to students, particularly assertive communication skills, is a useful strategy to help them stand up to bullying. Giving students the opportunity to reflect on their values and beliefs around communication is a good starting which of the following is a type of indirect peer pressure? point for dealing with peer pressure. Last but not least, it is okay to turn to trusted adults for guidance if you’re feeling overwhelmed by peer pressure. Parents, teachers, or mentors can offer valuable advice and support during challenging times. If another child is pushing your child toward something better, that is a good thing. For example, it might encourage your child to participate in the school talent show or science fair.
