Don’t give into peer pressure

Don’t give into peer pressure. Many teenagers can feel left out or behind when their friends start to have boyfriends, or start having sex. Those who have started to do these things early can often talk about it enough to make others feel left out.

Everyone has pressures to ‘fit in’, no matter what their age. Some people might feel it more than others. You might feel it more in some situations than others.

This can mean making choices that you don’t really want to or that are unsafe.

Here are some examples.

•        Wearing ‘the right’ clothes – this might contribute to fights with your parents, not having money to do other things you like to do, or even doing things like stealing to get the gear you need to ‘look right’.
•        Trying smokes, alcohol, dope or other stuff – these are not so good for your health and can lead to accidents, fights, and trouble with the police.
•        Missing school – this can lead to trouble at school, with your parents and maybe with other friends too.
•        Teasing, bullying or hurting other people – you can end up feeling bad about this, not to mention how the person who is the target might feel!
•        Too much dieting or body building – trying to be ‘thin’ or ‘muscular’ to get people to like you doesn’t work and can actually harm your body.
•        These are just some examples of the pressures and life choices that you and your friends might face every day.

The following are some tips to help you deal with peer pressure:

•        Stay away from peers who pressure you to do things that seem wrong or dangerous.
•        Learn how to say “no,” and practice how to avoid or get out of situations which feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
•        Spend time with other friends who resist peer pressure. It helps to have at least one friend who is also willing to say “no.”

·        If you have problems with peer pressure, talk to a grown up you trust, like a parent, teacher or school counselor.