Peer Pressure

1. Peer Pressure

6. Peer pressure comprises a set of group dynamics whereby a group of people in which one feels comfortable may override the personal habits, individual moral inhibitions or idiosyncratic desires to impose a group norm of attitudes or behaviors

7. t requires members to conform to the overall value of the group. • These reference groups are sometimes referred to as membership groups, when the individual is "formally" a member

8. Individuals may also have aspiration groups (social cliques, say, such as yuppies) to which they would like to belong.

9. They may also recognize dissociative groups with which they would not wish to associate (thus drinkers may go to great lengths to avoid being associated with lager louts).

10. The phrase Peer Pressure often carries a negative connotation, in particular as it relates to adolescents being persuaded to partake in potentially harmful behavior, such as pre-marital sex, drug and alcohol use, and skipping school.

11. Although the causes of such events are hotly debated, peer pressure is also considered by many to be the root cause of several recent tragedies in the United States involving young people, particularly the Columbine High School Massacre

12. Much research has shown that peer pressure has a much greater impact on adolescent behavior than any other factor.

13. Think about it.

14. teenagers spend many more of his or her waking hours with peers than with family members.

15. The interaction is direct, and much more powerful than the influence of teachers and other authority figures.

16. Peer pressure tends to have more of an effect on children with low self-esteem. • If a child feels compelled to fit in, the teen may do things that go against his or her beliefs simply to be part of the group.

17. How Does Peer Pressure Affect You?? • Fashion choice • Alcohol and other drugs use • Decision to have a boyfriend/girlfriend • Choice of who our friends are  • Academic performance

19. This peer pressure can sometimes be used to great effect by marketers. If they can sway the few opinion leaders in the reference group they will capture the whole group.

20. 3 Ways for Peer Pressure • 1. Directly - You may experience peer pressure as someone telling you what you should be doing. • It may be a good idea to talk to someone you trust if you feel threatened, are being hurt or being pressured into something you do not want to do. • This may be a family member, teacher, youth worker or counselor.

21. 2. Indirectly - Peer pressure may not always be obvious to you. • It is not uncommon for a group of friends to have particular habits or activities that they do together. • It may be that when you are with a different group of friends you are unlikely to do those things. • For example, you may only smoke when you are with certain friends or you may be more likely to study when you are with other friends.

22. 3. Individual - Sometimes the pressure comes from you. • Feeling different from the group may be hard. • To avoid this, sometimes we do things to make sure we feel like the rest of the group. • Moving to a new area or starting high school may be scary. • Often it means having to make new friends and fit into a new environment. • When we are feeling unsure about ourselves we may be more likely to feel the effects of peer pressure.

23. What can we do about it? • Valuing common interests – • Hanging out with people who like doing similar stuff may help to avoid a situation where you feel pressured into stuff you don't want to do. • Being seen hanging out in the cool crowd may not be as much fun as it looks.

24. Saying "No" – • Having the strength to say "no" may be hard. • However, it may also feel good to stick with what you believe in. • Explaining to people in a calm way why you don't want to be part of something may earn you respect from others.

25. Try not to judge others – I • f possible, try not to place judgments on other people's choices. • Respecting someone else's choice may help them to respect yours. • Try to remember that you don't have to agree with their actions. • Focusing on the reasons why you don't feel happy with the choice may help you not to judge them.

26. Take action – • Sometimes you are able to tackle peer pressure because you are older or feel more comfortable in your environment. • Standing up for someone may help. • Both of these are ways in which you may be able to create a positive vibe out of peer pressure.

27. Young people tend to gravitate toward other young people with the same problems and in the same situations as themselves and where they feel they will be understood and accepted. • There is a very, very strong need to satisfy that thirst for unity and for acceptance. • The feeling of belonging is a very powerful force that can outweigh ties to church, school, family, or community.

28. In addition to the feeling of belonging and not being alone or socially isolated, some characteristics that peer groups offer which make them attractive and that families may lack 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.

30. Helping children cope with peer pressure begins in preschool. Parents who convey a strong, clear (not necessarily rigid) value structure and open avenues of communication about many topics early in life as children are first being exposed to the group pressures in preschool set a pattern for future positive influences.

31. Parents who are hesitant to discourage their children's independence and individuality often send vague messages or no message at all to the child about their perspective on issues, leaving the child to make decisions based on the opinions of his peers.

32. Voicing parental opinion provides guidance, which children can choose to accept or reject in future situations.

33. In turn, the knowledge that the child is open to being guided on important matters gives parents a sense of confidence when the child succumbs to the numerous small, inconsequential peer pressures concerning interests, toys, or styles of dress throughout grade school

34. Techniques of resisting peer pressure include: • Observe people and the groups with whom they socialize. • Observe what they do and the consequences of their actions. • When someone tries to argue "everyone's doing it," you can prove otherwise. • Make positive choices about who you spend time with, instead of joining a group just because it is there.

35. Avoid situations that present problems - parties where no adults will be present, being alone with a boyfriend or girlfriend who might pressure you to become sexually involved, situations where you will have to "prove yourself" to be accepted as part of the group.

36. Evaluate the risk. • Are you being ask to do something that is trivial, like wearing a piece of clothing you wouldn't normally choose, or are you being asked to do something that might have permanent health or legal consequences like using drugs or drinking and driving?

37. Communicate: Say "No" forcefully and with eye contact. • If you do not believe yourself, no one else will either. • You do not need to apologize for your individuality. • Find an ally, someone who feels the same way you do, who will support your decision to say no.

38. Anticipate what your friends will say or do and decide beforehand how you will react. • If you know that when you go to the mall your friends will shoplift, decide how you will handle the situation before you go or make an excuse to stay home.

39. If you are in a situation where there is conflict, walk away. • No one can make you do something you do not want to. • If you find yourself anticipating conflict too often, seriously think about finding a new friend or set of friends. • Start off gradually, spending less and less time with the people who are pressuring you.

40. Know yourself. • Know what moods might make you more susceptible to negative peer influence. • Know what activities make you feel good about yourself. • Know why you are doing whatever you do everyday. • Be aware of your actions. • Make active choices rather than floating along with the crowd.

41. Get involved in positive activities such as sports, volunteering, peer tutoring, or youth clubs. • Look for people who share your interests outside of your immediate school friends. • Having several different groups of people who accept you gives you choices and social outlets rather than making you dependent on one group of friends