Peer Pressure and Ways to Handle it

Peer Pressure and Ways to Handle it

We must now brace ourselves for disquisitions on peer pressure, adolescent anomie, and rage, says Charles Krauthammer. Peers are the individuals with whom a child or adolescent identifies, who are usually but not always of the same age group. Peer pressure occurs when the individual experiences implicit or explicit persuasion, sometimes amounting to coercion, to adopt similar values, beliefs, & goals, or to participate in the same activities as those in the peer group.  Although it is usually conceived of as primarily a negative influence acting on adolescents or teens, peer pressure can have a positive influence as well, and it can act on children at any age, depending on their level of contact with others. The influence of peer pressure is usually addressed in relation to the relative influence of the family on an individual. Some characteristics that peer groups offer and which families may be lacking are:

1. A strong belief structure
2. A clear system of rules
3. Communication and discussion about taboo subjects such as drugs, sex and religion

Larery Rosen's presentation, 'Poke Me' described his research on generational difference in communication preferences. Some interesting generational 'wavelets' totally preferring texting. Young people today just live life and share with family and friends (and facebook) via beloved platforms and devices. Today's engaged parents are more likely to understand a son or daughter’s 'like' and 'friends' and 'interests' as presented online. Often fads and 'likes' are simply reflecting what 'everyone does' today. And which age group exerts the most influence over say, 12-16 years old? Their peer groups, online groups, online media sharing and more who share 'likes' and 'friends'.

Peer pressure is one of the most dangerous aspects of adolescence to which teenagers are exposed but if it is handled well, it can give positive outcomes also. Such as recognizing that your friends are studying more than you, can be perceived as a motivator for you, noticing that your drinking is more extreme than your friend, and deciding to cut back, peer pressure can also cause one, to do things that one may not be sure about, our even things that one don't really think are right for one. Dealing with this pressure can be challenging, but it's important to reflect on one's own personal values and preferences and make decisions based on those rather than on peer pressure.

When faced with overt or indirect peer pressure, generally adolescents don't understand what to do. In this case, one needs to follow few strategies such as,

• Maintain a healthy life-style, one should take care of oneself.
• Even if it is tough, then also make the choices you wish to make.
• Have a positive attitude, by keeping a can-do attitude even when things get difficult, you can get power to stand for yourself.
• Give yourself permission to avoid people or situations that don't feel right and leave a situation that becomes uncomfortable.
• Recognize unhealthy dynamics: it's not ok for others to pressure, force, or trick you into doing things you don't want to do or for others to make threats if you don't give in.
• Remember that you can't (and don't have to) please everyone or be liked by everyone

By

Ms. Manasi Chaudhary

Psychologist and Research Scholar