Peer pressure is the influence wielded by people within the same social group. It is also the term used to describe the effect this influence has on a person to conform in order to be accepted by the group. Often, peers are thought of as friends, but peers can be anyone of a similar status, such as people who are the same age, who have the same abilities, or who share a social status. Peer pressure is commonly thought of in a negative light, but in reality, it's not always a bad thing. Sometimes peer pressure is used to positively influence people. Learning about acceptable group norms can be a positive part of learning how to live with and socialize with other people. The way your child (or you, for that matter) responds to peer pressure can indicate who they are as an individual. Natural leaders tend to be less susceptible to bad forms of peer pressure, while followers may be more inclined to go along with it. Peer pressure can range from subtle to overt, which means that some forms of peer pressure can be easier to spot than others. Being able to identify signs that your child is dealing with peer pressure may help you start a supportive conversation. Some signs that your child may be experiencing peer pressure include:
Many of the signs of peer pressure can also be signs of other things, like bullying or mental health concerns. Any changes in behavior or mood are worth investigating. Most kids have a strong desire to fit in and are especially sensitive to being picked on, made fun of, or ostracized. Consequently, they're often eager to do the things their peers tell them to do. Research has drawn attention to the significant role of peers in influencing prosocial behaviors. When peers endorse positive and altruistic behavior, young people are more likely to engage in those behaviors, even when their peers are not watching. Positive peer pressure is when someone's peers encourage them to do something positive or push them to grow in a beneficial way. Here are a few examples of positive peer pressure:
Negative peer pressure, on the other hand, involves pressure to do something dangerous or damaging to themselves or others. Here some examples of negative peer pressure: As your child grows older, their peers will play a bigger role in their life. Friends can influence everything from what kind of music they listen to, to what they wear, to how they talk. Gender socialization may influence how receptive a young person is to peer pressure. Research indicates that adolescent boys are more susceptible to pressure for risk-taking behaviors. Peer pressure isn't always deviant, though. Peer pressure can have both negative and positive impacts.
It's important to prepare for dealing with peer pressure. Being able to spot signs of peer pressure will allow you to intervene when you recognize that your child or someone you care about is headed down an unhealthy road. Some strategies that may be useful for helping someone cope with peer pressure might include:
Talk to your kids about peer pressure. Teach your child how to say no, help them develop the skills to think independently, and encourage self-confidence. If you suspect that your child or another person that you love is being affected negatively by peer pressure, let them know you are someone they can trust and offer to make a plan for getting out of a bad situation. While peer pressure can be difficult, it isn't always a bad thing. Positive peer pressure can be a valuable part of learning how to socialize and even growing as a person. But if you suspect that your kids are struggling with negative peer pressure, encourage them to talk to you. Sometimes kids don't want to talk to their parents about peer pressure. If that's the case, don't take it personally. Encourage them to talk about it with another trusted adult, like a teacher, a school counselor, a doctor, or a therapist.
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