Peer Pressure & Teens

Taking decisions on your own is hard enough. But when other people get involved and try to pressurize you, it can be even harder. People who are of your age, like your classmates are called peers. When they try to influence you how to act, it is called peer pressure. It's something everyone has to deal with.

Peers influence your life, just by spending time with you.You learn from them, they learn from you. Peers can have a positive influence on each other. For example, someone teaches you some cool tricks in a sport. But sometimes peers influence each other in negative ways too. For example, few teens may persuade you to miss class along with them. Some teens give in to peer pressure because they want to be liked, to fit in, or because they worry that other teens may make fun of them if they don't go along with the group. The idea that 'everyone's doing it' may influence some teens to leave their better judgement, or their common sense behind.

Paying attention to your own feelings and beliefs about what is right and wrong can help you know the right thing. The best way to stay away from peer pressure is to listen to yourself. You can stop paying attention to the one who pressurizes you to do something wrong. You could make someone as a friend who accepts you the way you are. If you continue to face peer pressure and you are finding it difficult to handle, talk to someone you trust. Talking to a person you trust can make you feel better and prepare you next time to face peer pressure. So get going and do what you think is right.