Statistics on Peer Pressure

The Statistics on Peer Pressure

Alcohol

• Maryland Underage Drinking Coalition reports teenagers who try alcohol do so around the age of 13.
• The percentage of adolescents who took their first drink before 13 is 32.2% according to Adolescent Substance Abuse Knowledge Base.
• Maryland Underage Drinking Coalition also reports two thirds of teens that drink buy their own alcohol.

Drugs

• Marijuana use for adolescents has risen 275% from 1992 to 1997 according to the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
• According to Adolescent Substance Abuse Knowledge Base, the percentage of teens that have used some form of cocaine is 9.5%. .
• Approximately 30.2% of young adults are given, offered, or sold drugs in high school and middle school.

Smoking

• Twenty-five percent of 17 and 18 year-olds smoke regularly.
• American Lung Association reports 3.1 million teenagers smoke

Sex

• Statistics on peer pressure for sex reveals approximately 50% of 12-17 year olds feel pressured in sex and relationships, according to The Kaiser Foundation.
• The Alan Guttmacher Institute reports 4 million new sexually transmitted diseases infect teens each year.

Peer Pressure and Your Teen

Peer pressure occurs when a friend confronts another friend and tries to convince him or her to take part in illegal activities, substances, or sex. Adolescence is a time of growth and change. Your teenager is trying to create his or her own identity independent from you. This is why most parents report that there is increased rebellious behavior from their child. In school, your teen is able to hang out with kids whom they believe they would like to be like. They can sometimes be desperate to fit into certain groups and will do just about anything to feel wanted by these friends.

What You Can Do

Your son or daughter may feel he or she is ready to be on her or his own, but you try to hold on, which causes frustration and resentment. You do not have to argue with your adolescent when it comes to protecting your child from peer pressure. Here are some things to keep in mind to help you and your child through this tough time.

• Keep communication open

Many times teenagers will not talk to their parents from fear of criticism, ridicule, or punishment for what they say or do. When your son or daughter speaks to you, keep an open mind and try to listen without judging.

• Support and Advice

When you speak to your son or daughter about an issue, support their thoughts, but also advise him or her on making good choices. When he or she is talking about something that worries you, voice your concern and provide examples on what would happen if he or she chose to do one thing over another. It's important to provide information to adolescents while still giving them the power to make their own decisions.

• Pick your Battles

You have to decide what you feel is worthy of an argument between you and your child. If your child wants to wear all black to school but isn't participating in deviant behavior, you may need to overlook their style of clothing.

• Know their Friends

The best way to know what is going on at school or what teenagers do outside of school is to know the friends and their parents, if possible. Be careful, if you disapprove of these friends and voice this to your teen, your teen may cling to them even more. Adolescents want to make their own decisions on whom to be friends with because they believe people have told them who to be friends with their whole life. You may not be able to stop your child from being friends with certain people but you can talk to him or her about the activities these people are engaging in.

• Talk About Issues

The more kids know about dangerous behavior the less likely they will engage in it. Many times, the reason why adolescents take part in self-destructive behavior is because their friends glorify it and do not talk about the risks associated with it. If you step in and provide this information, your teen may be less likely to follow others advice.

Gather material on drugs, alcohol, smoking, and sex. Do not present all of it all at once, but as conversations arise on the subjects, educate your son or daughter on them. For example, if your teen comes home and talks about a friend who is bragging because he or she has had sex, you can talk about the dangers of unprotected sex focusing on the friend. This way, your son or daughter doesn't feel you are attacking him or her.

Final Tip: You are Still the Parent

Parents do not get the reputation of being strict or the "bad guy" for no reason. If you fear your teenager is engaging in deviant behavior, it may be time to step in with discipline. Some young adults will not learn without a consequence, which means you have the job of providing it before the law does. Just remember to fit the crime with the punishment and always communicate the reason for the grounding or whatever discipline you decide. It will teach your young adult responsibility for actions and help him or her transition into a responsible and law-abiding adult.