Peer Pressure Affect Teenagers

Are you looking for information on how does peer pressure affect teenagers? Some teens may feel they are the only ones who experience peer pressure but it is a common phenomenon. Keep reading to find out how you can help teens avoid dangerous situations.

If you are wondering, "How does peer pressure affect teenagers?" here are some reasons, both good and bad:

• Causes a teen to make a bad decision. Examples include using drugs or being encouraged to break curfew
• Gives a teen a chance to say 'no' to a negative situation
• Gives a teen more self esteem
• Gives a teen less self esteem
• Creates an opportunity to start talking to parents and friends about a difficult situation
• Causes a teen to make a decision that he/she cannot take back and will affect him/her for a long time

Often peer pressure will cause a teen to contemplate a difficult decision. Sometimes it is a small matter such as telling a lie to a friend. Other times, the pressure isn't even negative, such as pushing a shy friend to come out of his/her shell. However, the pressure put on a teen can feel uncomfortable. In addition to possible dangerous actions, a consequence of peer pressure is that a teen may feel frustrated and lash out. Luckily, there are many ways to prevent the negative effects of peer pressure.

Here are some ways to deter the affects of peer pressure on teens:

• Family
• Movie and TV restrictions
• Information
• Talking

According to SADD, one of the best tools in deflecting peer pressure is family. Sixty-two percent of teens who had rated themselves as having high self confidence also stated that their relationship with their parents made them feel good about themselves. According to the same study, statistics say 64 percent of teens worry that their parents would lose respect for them if they were caught drinking. This study helps to show that teens don't need to feel like victims of peer pressure and that family support can help to make difficult situations easier.

Beyond family, having a strong support system of friends who care, can help teens make better choices in the same way.

Other ways to change the way that peer pressure affects teenagers is to limit exposure to television and movies that may make a teenager feel pressured. For example, there are many college movies such as Animal House that make drinking look fun and may lead teens to think they are missing out by not doing it. Avoiding these types of influences can change the way teens see the world and themselves.

One of the best ways to combat any problem is with knowledge. Peer pressure is no different. If a teen feels pressured to do anything such as using drug, or having sex, looking for information on the topic can help a teen make an informed decision that fits into his/her life. Being able to use reason to make difficult choices is a great step to being an adult too!

A few great sites to find information related to peer pressure are:

• Cyh.com
• Sexetc.org
• Above the Influence
• NIDA for Teens
• The Cool Spot

Peer pressure can be harmful to teenagers. It can cause them to make terrible decisions that can haunt them for the rest of their lives. Peer pressure can also be beneficial. The biggest affect that peer pressure--good or bad--has on teenagers is that it forces them to begin taking responsibility for their actions in ways they never have before. It also forces teens to become more rational in their decisions. Essentially, peer pressure can help a teen grow up.

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