Have friends ever convinced you to do something you weren’t comfortable with? This is the case for an estimated 90% of teens who have experienced peer pressure: a change in your behavior and actions to conform with those in your social group. As this is most common in school-age teens and young adults, understanding the science behind it and effective ways to combat its dangerous consequences can develop self-confidence and decision-making skills.
To begin, let’s focus on how to identify peer pressure. If friends or people your age ask or try to convince you to do something, ask yourself, “Is this something I would do on my own?” and “Am I comfortable doing this?” One of the reasons peer pressure is so prevalent is that the need to fit in with your social group at a young age can cloud your judgment, causing you to act irrationally or outside of your usual behavior. For example, let’s say you were asked by friends to engage in an illegal action with which you have no previous involvement. In this situation, if you would not behave this way on your own or you are not comfortable participating, then peer pressure would be the force causing you to engage.
Because almost all young adults face at least one peer pressure scenario in their lives (like the one above), knowing how to effectively deal with these situations is key to your safety and health. To manage these unpleasant or dangerous situations, determine and set your personal boundaries, learn how to effectively say no, and think about potential consequences. Here’s more detail on each technique:
Determining and setting personal boundaries with friends is a great first step to prepare yourself for peer pressure situations. To begin, think about or write down what you are willing to do with friends. For example, if it is late and near your curfew and you are hanging out at another friend’s house, what would you do if they try to convince you to stay longer? Knowing how you would respond to these decisions and setting predetermined limits with those around you can protect yourself from the pressure the scenario imposes. Once you’ve determined your boundaries, the most important step is to follow through with them consistently.
Learning how to effectively say no is a technique for when you are in a situation and being pressured to do something you wouldn’t normally do. By showing your friends you are able to say no, you show strength and confidence and protect yourself from a harmful activity.
Thinking about potential consequences is another in-the-moment technique, where you analyze the activity and ask, “Is this worth the consequences?” For example, illegal activity usually revokes school sport or club positions, decreases your chances to be accepted into college, and isolates you from positive connections. Think of what you have to lose by engaging in this activity and then use techniques like effectively saying no to diffuse the situation.
To conclude, avoiding peer pressure’s dangerous effects is a crucial skill for teens, college students, and even adults. Keep in mind that friends may not always mean to harm you through peer pressure, as they may be unaware they are putting you in such a situation. However, if your social group regularly engages in peer pressure, you may want to reconsider your affiliations with them. Knowing how to identify when you’re being pressured and how to manage these situations can keep you safe and on track to a healthy, fun life!
Sources:
- https://www.lizmorrisontherapy.com/post/5-ways-to-resist-peer-pressure-standing-up-to-your-peers
- https://www.fcps.edu/student-wellness-tips/peer-pressure
- https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/blog/tips-for-coping-with-peer-pressure/