Social connection is an innate desire, so it makes sense that we surrender to pressure to continue to relate to peers. However, peer pressure and social pressure feel the same to the recipient. Accordingly, we will use the terms interchangeably in this article. Peer pressure refers to the negative influence of peers, which can lead individuals to do things they wouldn’t normally do to gain acceptance.
Responding to Peer Pressure in the Moment
By seeing someone else do something positive, even if it’s challenging, you may reflect on your own life choices, goals, and where you spend your time. Peer pressure is any type of influence, positive or negative, that comes from a peer group. Peer pressure is a big deal for adolescents and young adults. Even if you work hard to fight it, you may find yourself giving in to pressure from friends or classmates. Learn how to resist peer pressure and live according to your own values. Though peer pressure is not usually used to describe socially desirable behaviors, such as exercising or studying, peer pressure can have positive effects in some cases.
What are the 5 ways to avoid peer pressure?
The examples mentioned above were studying and participating in sports. Aside from these, there are many more ways in which peer pressure can be positive. It can influence one to quit undesirable behaviours such how to deal with peer pressure as smoking or gambling. Other examples include eating more healthily and exercising, being more punctual, exploring positive hobbies, finding ways to support others, and so on.
Handling the Effects of Peer Pressure
Though peer pressure is often thought of as something that happens primarily during adolescence, research suggests https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/the-importance-of-gratitude-in-recovery/ peer pressure begins in elementary school, often around the age of 9. When you ask for an alternative that shows you are still interested in spending time with them but on terms that feel right for you. If your peers are pressuring you to engage in activities you are not comfortable with, offer alternative suggestions that align more closely with your values. It’s like absorbing the habits of your peers without them directly urging you to do so. For example, when you notice that your friends are wearing expensive designer clothes, you also feel the urge to buy and wear such clothes.
- Based on what they need, you can then direct them to the relevant resources, such as professional therapy.
- To deal with peer pressure, try to identify when you are experiencing it, as this pressure can often be very subtle.
- For example, you might see what kids in your class are wearing, like it, and wear something like that, too.
Peer pressure plays a pivotal role in a person’s mental health; it can force them to do something which can be either less harmful or have more serious consequences. Giving in can have minor consequences, like dressing a certain way, or more serious ones, like unsafe substance use at the time of how to tackle peer pressure. Ultimately, how to tackle peer pressure uplifts or undermines the intentions and methods. Positive pressure empowers choice; negative pressure limits it. Below are some of the peer pressure examples which will help you in identifying the good and bad about how to tackle peer pressure in terms of its positive and negative side. We tend to hear more about the potentially negative effects of peer pressure.
- Once you identify negative influence from others, it’s time to address it.
- An individual finds themselves having to make a decision on the spot, based on what has been presented to them.
- If saying no is difficult for you, come up with different ways to say no.
- At this age, research suggests, group dynamics begin to form among children, and some may be excluded from the larger group.
- Social media and mainstream media may also have a role to play in shaping what the “ideal” look or body is.
- Whenever any type of negative pressure you start experiencing, in that situation instead of agreeing to do something just pause and take deep breaths.
Teens with high self-esteem accepts themselves and the way they are, as well as respect themselves. Building good self-esteem will help them stay away from groups with negative influences. If a popular friend wants to save money to buy a car, for example, he or she may be influenced by others to look for a job and open a savings account.
- For example, of the 29% of teens who responded they felt peer pressure to look “good,” girls were more likely than boys to say they feel a lot of pressure to look good (35% vs. 23%).
- Being assertive without regretting enables students to stand up for themselves and remain respectful of others‘ choices.
- For example, you may feel pressure to do unsafe things that have risks you may not fully know.
- Sometimes peer pressure takes over your mental peace and the war between your true self and the one you want to show to others starts.
Peer support is not a replacement for therapy.Please consult with a doctor or licensed counselor for professional mental health assistance. Supportiv is a safe space to chat about peer pressure or anything else that’s on your mind. There’s no judgment – just supportive chats with real people who care. Telling someone that it’s tough for you to say no – and asking for their help to stick to your needs – calls the person in rather than calling them out.
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Living up to the expectations of others can certainly be draining. Walking away, setting a boundary, or taking space from the connection is totally okay. Whether or not the bond you have with the person in question is sour or generally positive, you don’t have to give into social pressure. The point is that you decide for yourself what is positive vs. negative peer pressure. Observe and take note of naturally occurring chances to talk about the topic.
