HOW TO HANDLE PEER PRESSURE

May 05, 2020

While peer pressure can be positive, many teens may be wondering how to resist peer pressure to engage in risky behaviors. Learning how to handle peer pressure as a teenager involves planning ahead, choosing the right friends, and keeping open communication with trusted adults.

The following strategies are important for handling peer pressure effectively:

1) Learn to say no:

Declining to participate in activities that you are not comfortable with is away to resist peer pressure. Plan ahead and practice what you will say if you’re pressured to do something you don’t want to do. For example, before going out with friends, you may practice what you might say if offered a cigarette. You could decline with a simple “no, thanks,” or say that you don’t want it to interfere with your soccer training, or you could state that it makes your allergies worse. Sometimes saying no may involve leaving an unsafe situation. In these cases , it can be helpful to communicate with a parent or trusted adult who can remove you from an unsafe situation.

2) Know yourself:

When faced with peer pressure to engage in risky behaviors, such as using drugs or having unprotected sex, it is important to remember your values. For example,maybe earning high grades and acceptance into a prestigious college is important to you. Or,perhaps you value setting a good example for younger siblings. Remembering these values will increase your confidence to say no to a choice that doesn’t align with what is important to you.

3) Choose the right friends:

Peer influence during adolescence is strong, so it is important to choose friends wisely. As noted previously, peer pressure can be positive, so having the right group of friends can help you make good choices. For example, choosing friends who value school and participate in positive activities such as sports and church groups can limit your exposure to negative peer pressure. In addition, friends who support your values can stand up for you if you find yourself in a situation where you need to say no to peer pressure.

With this points, I think you can overcome peer pressure.