All teens are different, but you all do have something in common… peer pressure. There are pressures to join groups, participate in activities, or even say certain things. Peer pressure is cause by some common characteristics that you should look out and be mindful of if you want to stay away from traps and make right choices.
Low self esteem is a key risk factor of peer pressure because you never feel that what you are doing is good enough, so you rely on what the people around you are doing, which leads to a lack of confidence. Instead of feeling that you are the “lame” one for doing the right thing or paying attention in school, be confident that you actions will result in great rewards. Whether it’s a good grade on a test, or being able to participate in a fun weekend activity, doing the right thing is always better in the end. As you continue to do the right thing, those who fall into peer pressure will suffer poor academic abilities or performance because they fell into the pressure of others to abandon homework to skip school with a boyfriend or girlfriend or sneak out of the house with friends. Determine those people who can be positive in your life and share similar goals that you do. A lack of strong ties to positive friends is a major way that you can fall into peer pressure. You are the company that you keep. Remember that it’s ok to be the leader and not the follower. Remember those times in elementary school when you would fight to be the leader in the game “Follow the Leader?” Well, apply the same principle.
Be comfortable with your choices even if you see others around you doing the complete opposite. For instance, if your friends decide to skip school for the day and you tell them that you are not going to go with them, tell them with confidence and explain that you do not want to suffer the consequences. Let them know that you don’t want to be at home for Out of School Suspension like they will be when they get caught.
So, let’s re-cap:
1.) Build your self-esteem.
2.) Be confident.
3.) Build strong ties to positive friends.
4.) Be comfortable with your right choices.
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