What is Peer Pressure?

Peers are people who are part of the same social group. “Peer Pressure” is the influence that peers can have on each other, by interfering with the “making decisions” process. Thus, if you are doing something you would not like or would not usually do, but you are doing it for example, by fear to be rejected by your group of friends, you are suffering from “peer pressure”.

“A feeling that one must do the same things as other people of one’s age and social group in order to be liked or respected by them”

“Peer Pressure” can influence various aspects of teens’ life, like the way of dressing, shopping, the choice of music, places, activities, nightlife…But, the most serious decisions concern unhealthy and risky behaviors, like smoking, drinking alcohol, drugs use and sexual relations.

“Peer Pressure” can be like:

• Someone tells you what you should do (direct action): “You should come with us tonight at this club”.

• You can’t do a certain activity without your group of friends (indirect or self-motivating actions): “My group is traveling to Paris; If I don’t travel with them, they will have fun without me. And anyway, I will never travel alone to Paris and I will miss this opportunity” or “If I don’t travel with them, they will exclude me from the group.”

Teens give into “Peer Pressure” to be liked, to fit in, or because of the worry to make fun of them and to be bullied!

Tips to resist to “Peer Pressure”:

• Develop your inner strengths and self-confidence (sport, music, spiritual activities, volunteering…)
• Learn the power of NO: it is often difficult to be the only one within a group to say NO, being at least two persons having the same opinion, could be easier for both of you
• Refer to your parents: parents’ influence is stronger than “Peer Pressure”

“Peer Pressure” is not always a bad thing!

Although the common understanding of “Peer Pressure” is negative and meaning a bad influence, it can as well have a positive impact on each other. Friends can also support you and stop you from doing something bad, in particular if you are struggling with some personal or familial issues (like psychological disturbances, divorce, death, grief…). However, choose wisely who you can trust to open yourself to and talk about your problems!