How To Deal With Peer Pressure: 4 Simple, Proven Strategies

How To Deal With Peer Pressure: 4 Simple, Proven Strategies 

Peer pressure is a tricky beast. It can force you to do things that are either good or bad for you, but it won’t let go until you do what it wants. It’s just like peer pressure to feel like you have to check Instagram every five seconds, or eat pizza for breakfast because your friends are doing it. It doesn’t take much to spark the feeling of peer pressure. The need for social acceptance is so strong that even the slightest hint will make people want to conform. Peer pressure can be very sneaky, but with this guide, you shouldn't have any issues!

Understand the power of social influence 

 In a perfect world, we would never have to deal with peer pressure. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Your kid will eventually be exposed to peer pressure. When that happens, what can you do about it? The first thing to understand is that peer pressure is a real thing. As a society, we tend to scoff at peer pressure. However, research clearly shows that peer pressure affects behavior. It not only influences us, it shapes who we are as people. It also means that you need to become well-versed in the psychology of peer pressure and recognize the different types of peer pressure. Peer pressure can come from both people and places. You cannot fight peer pressure directly. However, you can provide your children with the tools to effectively deal with peer pressure. Identify your support network Take ownership of your choices and consequences Raise your right hand That's it! Your child's academic career is not over. You can get him to a high school diploma. He might be able to get into college, and he will certainly have the right skills to get there. He has much to look forward to! 

Create a safety plan 

Closed-door time to talk with trusted adults -Projected behaviors if they feel pressured -Take them to their parent, family, or trusted adult Explain who the "bad guy" is and help them name the cues and teach them what they're feeling Offer activities that the peer pressure might make seem desirable Create a schedule for what a teen can and can't do, and follow it Put them on the clock and monitor it Teach them how to set and maintain limits when you aren't in sight Encourage feelings of self-worth Love and support Blaming others, and demeaning them, will not help teens develop a sense of self worth. Teens need time and space to practice self-discipline and critical thinking. Be assertive and stay in charge of your decisions Remember that other people’s opinion doesn’t always mean that it’s right For more advice from parents and other adults, visit the International SOS Peer Pressure Hotline. 

Conclusion

 One of the most important factors in life is not your parents. If your parents had this much power you wouldn't be here in the first place. It's called parental support. Parental support involves you being told exactly what you need to do in order to make the right decisions. Without parental support, kids will attempt to satisfy their parents needs regardless of their own and thus, go for the lowest common denominator in all areas of life. This is called peer pressure. The more your parents support you, the less likely you will be to go the wrong way. This goes beyond being told to "do your homework" and actually advising you on what you should be doing. This requires a lot of thought and hard work.