Friends and Peer Pressure
Because your child's friends play such an important role in his or her life, it's crucial that you do what you can to make sure that those relationships are positive ones.
By staying informed and involved in your child's life, you can ensure that you're able to encourage positive relationships and help steer negative ones to a positive direction.
Resisting Negative Peer Pressure
Simply put, peer pressure is the effect the people around your child have on her or his decisions. And though this seems simple, peer pressure can be a complicated issue with many different facets. The ability to resist peer pressure comes from a combination of many factors, including self-esteem, respect for others, and experience. And while you won't always be there to get your child out of negative situations, you can help prepare her or him to be a positive influence on other kids and to make smart decisions, even in the face of peer pressure. Get simple tips for resisting negative peer pressure >>Did You Know?
- Students surveyed in Logan County, Ohio, stated that peer pressure was one of the top three factors that influenced high school students to drink alcohol.1
- The smoking rate among kids who have three or more friends who smoke is 10 times higher than those who report that none of their friends smoke.2
- Learn more about peer pressure >>
- Download: FAQ's about Friends and Peer Pressure
1. Mandy Hochstedler, “Peer Pressure, Parental Tolerance Contribute to Underage Drinking,” Bellefontaine Examiner Online(2009).
2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “ Changing Adolescent Smoking Prevalence,” Smoking and Tobacco Control Monograph 14 (2009): 85-89.
Comments
Everyday Steps are the little things you can do as a parent, every day. These little steps add up to successful kids in the long run. Look for the Everyday Steps icon throughout ParentFurther, and remember: The little things you do—every day—add up!
good stuff