Peer Pressure

Peer influence is when you choose to do something you wouldn’t otherwise do, because you want to feel accepted and valued by your friends. It isn’t just or always about doing something against your will. You might hear the term ‘peer pressure’ used a lot. But peer influence is a better way to describe how teenagers’ behaviour is shaped by wanting to feel they belong to a group of friends or peers. Peer pressure and influence can be positive. For example, your child might be influenced to become more assertive, try new activities or get more involved with school. But peer pressure can be negative too. Some teenagers might choose to try things they normally wouldn’t be interested in, like smoking or behaving in antisocial ways. Peer pressure and influence might result in teenagers: 1. Smoking or behaving in antisocial ways 2. Choosing the same clothes, hairstyle, or jewelry as their friends 3. Listening to the same music or watching the same TV shows as their friends 4. Changing the way they talk or the words that they use 5. Doing risky things or breaking rules 6. Not working hard 7. Dating or taking part in sexual activities 8. Using alcohol or other drugs 9. Choosing careers they are not interested in for the sake of their friends