Live Life Team
Peer pressure is a common aspect of teen life. You may not even realise that it is happening to you. Perhaps you just choose to put off your homework because your friends really want to come over or you skive off school because your boyfriend/girlfriend wants you to. These examples might not sound like a big deal but if those behaviours continued, you could find yourself in trouble at school.
Similarly, teens often find themselves under pressure from their peers to do certain things in order to be accepted. You might find that you choose to dress a certain way because your friends do. You might even join in when your group of friends tease someone because you are afraid they will turn on you if you do not. Other stereotypical activities that you may feel pressured into include smoking, drinking, experimenting with drugs, shoplifting and having sex before you feel ready.
You might find that it is difficult to stand up to your peers because you do not have the confidence or you may be afraid that they will not be your friends anymore. If you are experiencing peer pressure, it is important that you do not give in and participate in things that you do not want to. It may help to have some excuses up your sleeve, perhaps blaming your parents or homework as the reason you are unavailable. In the end, you will benefit from making friends with people that do not put any pressure on you.
