Teenagers often feel peer pressure to conform to a certain personality trait, activity, or a specific way of life in order to fit in and feel as part of the group.

Peer pressure is a problem teens are faced with everyday, stemming  from calling others names, stealing, and doing drugs. Our peers are the main influence we deal with everyday and the ones we change for.

What is peer pressure? Peer pressure (or social pressure) is influence by a peer group, observers, or an individual that exerts or encourages others to change their attitudes, values, or behaviors to conform to those of the influencing group or individual.

Choose your friends wisely. Peer Pressure is often portrayed as negative, teenagers who cut class, do drugs, or lie to their parents usually fit somewhere into this negative form of peer pressure. This type of pressure usually happens in high school and post-secondary, where teenagers are most vulnerable to change in order to fit into a certain crowd.

Stealing, bullying, and drinking are all negative forms of peer pressure where you feel compelled to do something even though it may be wrong or not on your usual to-do list. Teenagers are afraid of rejection and being put down by those surrounding them, dealing with peer pressure isn’t always easy but sticking with the true you is always the right way to go.

Peer support isn’t always bad, it can be positive and influence your mind into the right direction.

Peers can influence your taste in music, hobbies, and strike your learning for new ideas. Peer pressure can also be used to help other peers out. If people can pressure someone into doing the wrong, then can also pressure someone into doing the right thing. Pressuring someone into something isn’t always wrong, you can pressure a friend to be honest, avoid drugs and alcohol, and work towards their goals with a positive mind.

Dealing with peer pressure isn’t always easy but you should always stick to certain guidelines in order not to stray off the road. Think of the consequences of your actions, would your parents be proud of the person you are and who you’ve become? Be confident in yourself, find your passions and strive towards your goals. Hang out with different people, get to know others and invite them to your group.

Learn from the mistakes of others so you are not pressured into doing something you don’t want to do. You have the right to choose the path you take, don’t conform to peer pressure.

For more information; visit http://www.thecoolspot.gov/peer_pressure6.aspx