The article below talks about having self-confidence and convictions, and how this can help you overcome negative peer pressure. It is sometimes difficult to stick to your convictions. It can be nearly impossible if you haven't taken the time to figure out what your convictions are. Teens will be faced with many difficult decisions as their peers start experimenting with "adult" behaviors. The more time you take to think about what behaviors you want to participate in, the easier it will be to make the right decision when the time comes. If you don't take the time to think about it, you may find that the decision is made for you...
The following article is taken from the website listed below:
http://www.allpsychologycareers.com/topics/peer-pressure.html
Peer PressureThe light turned yellow and the boy slowed down.“Come on, what are you? Some kind of grandma?” his friend in the passenger seat shouted. “I don't want to be late to class.”The driver felt his stomach drop. He didn't want to look bad in front of his friend, but he didn't have much time before the light changed red. He put his foot on the gas and accelerated. The boys zipped past cars and just before the intersection, the light turned red. It was too late to stop now.Barely dodging traffic, the boys made it through the red light, celebrating their bravado as their hearts raced. That's when they heard the siren of the traffic officer behind them.Teenagers feel peer pressure every day in their lives, whether in school or out on the town. During their teenage years, kids differentiate themselves from their parents by participating in peer groups, and sometimes, these groups offer negative choices to teens.Oftentimes, “just saying no” isn't enough, and teens must look inward at self-confidence and personal convictions to make good choices.Positive Peer PressureWhen most people think of the phrase “peer pressure,” images of underage teens participating in destructive behavior spring to mind. But most people overlook positive examples of peer pressure, including situations where friends push teens to grow in beneficial ways.In fact, peer pressure is one of the most effective ways for a teen to practice good behavior and make smart choices in his or her life. For example, consider a teen who surrounds him or herself with members of an academic club, a club of peers who participate in class, and work for good grades.The Family Survey Study, conducted at the University of Michigan, has found that peer pressure does more good than harm for many students. The study, which examined 1,500 adolescents, found a majority of participants reported little peer pressure to drink, smoke, or have sex. In fact, the study found that more teens supported good choices among their friends than bad choices.Parents and teachers should encourage teens to explore their independence with friends who make good decisions, promoting these kinds of positive peer influences. Unfortunately, not all friendships a teen makes are positive ones. Some friendships do lead to cases of negative peer pressure where a teen participates in risky behavior to fit into the group.Negative Peer PressureLoneliness and desire for acceptance often drives students to give in to negative peer pressure. For example, consider a sophomore high school transfer student who has experienced difficulty meeting friends in class. It's as if everyone has a group and except for this boy. One day in the cafeteria right before lunch begins, a group of kids invites him over. The boy, excited and eager to meet new friends, begins conversing with the kids, discovering they are about to skip school for the rest of the day to go to a friend's house whose parents are out of town.The boy knows skipping school is wrong, but he also desperately wants to make friends in his new location. The boy's emotions rage inside him, but he makes the choice to accompany the kids to their friend's house, giving in to peer pressure even though he knows the consequences are severe if his parents or teachers catch him.This type of situation is commonplace for teenagers today, especially for vulnerable students. The boy in the example was lonely and lacked self-confidence to meet friends in more positive ways. To boost self-confidence, his parents needed to support him, reaffirming to him the positives in his life. While teenagers often seem as if they are brushing aside statements about how likeable they are, it bolsters their self-confidence, and encourages them to seek out new friends.Teenagers who are more likely to succumb to peer pressure often feel isolated from peers, lack direction in their lives, are uncertain about their place in a peer group, and have low self-esteem. The need to fit in to a group undermines their own convictions, and they follow the crowd in dangerous ways, participating in acts like smoking, vandalism, drinking, sex, cheating, and sneaking out at night.Teens who give in to negative peer pressure frequently lack support from their family members, which causes them to seek acceptance in other places. Family members must discuss uncomfortable topics like drugs and sex in open and honest ways. If the family ignores topics like these, the teen will go to his or her peers for potentially inaccurate answers.An open and trusting family relationship arms the teen with information about negative choices like smoking and drug use, and the teen is more likely to make good decisions. When confronted with negative peer pressure, teens are taught to ask questions such as, “Why would we do that?” or “Is this a smart thing to do?”By identifying negative behavior and evaluating the consequences, such as thinking, “We'll get in trouble if we do that,” or “Smoking will kill you,” kids come to correct conclusions, and avoid bad choices.
When was the last time you were pressured to do something you didn’t
want to do, something you felt was wrong?
Did you give in to the pressure?
If so, how did you feel about it afterwards? If not, how did you get out of the
situation? Write about it here…
1 comment:
I think positive peer pressure is awesome!
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