Peer pressure is a commonly heard phrase in the life of a teen; teachers warn against it, parents plead with you to rise above it, and other teenagers may complain about it. Until you encounter it, it may just sound like a frightening buzz word that adults use to scare you. Many teenagers have unfortunately discovered that peer pressure is a very real and potentially dangerous influence that they are sometimes not equipped to deal with.
At leading academic summer camp SuperCamp, educators understand how peer pressure can complicate friendships and social interactions. For 27 years, they have been helping teenagers effectively deal with peer pressure and other social predicaments by equipping them with the life skills neccessary to confront uncomfortable situations with ease and confidence. The people most affected by peer pressure are teens, still trying to figure out who they are, where they want to go, and with whom they wish to be associated. Every teenager will feel the effects of peer pressure at some point, but there are always ways to keep it from affecting your life and personal choices.
Imagine this scenario: You and a group of friends are driving to an awesome concert and everyone is enjoying themselves. Suddenly, someone suggests taking the 'party' to the next level and pulls out a bottle of alcohol pilfered from Dad's liquor cabinet. You do not want to drink, but everyone else is looking at you expectantly. How do you respond?
It is easy to become anxious in these situations, but it can also be just as easy to stand up for your beliefs without offending your friends. That is the origin of most anxiety associated with peer pressure; how do you tell a group of peers that you aren't interested without sounding accusatory?
The first step is realizing that you may need to step out of your comfort zone. Keeping harmony with your friends is one thing, but allowing them to dictate your actions and your level of safety is quite another. It will take courage, but once your friends realize that you aren't a push over and have strong beliefs, it is likely that they will respect you more for it and will remember that in the future.
The next step is saying 'no'. State your position firmly, but avoid putting the person suggesting the activity on the spot. Calmly and simply stating "I don't want to drink" will get better results than "No thanks, dude. I don't want to end up like you." Always avoid personal attacks and make the activity the issue, not the person suggesting it. Sometimes a little humor can lighten the situation; making a lighthearted joke about the possible consequences can get your point across and give others an opportunity to agree and "back out."
If you are not comfortable saying 'no', try ignoring the suggestion altogether and pretend that you didn't hear it. Turn up the radio, concentrate on your homework or on what someone else is saying, and don't acknowledge what was said. Your friend may take the hint and the whole idea may be dropped.
You can also blame your parents. This is one time when your parents' rules actually come in handy. Because every teen knows what it feels like to disappoint their parents with their behavior, saying something like, "No way! If my parents found out, I'd be grounded for the whole summer!" will bring the consequences of the situation to light, and possibly dissuade the situation altogether.
Most importantly, remember that if you are wary of something, chances are, many of your friends are too. If you consistently stand up for your beliefs, your friends will remember that and respect you for it.
You don't have to be a slave to peer pressure. Be known for being an individual who sticks by what is right rather than a person who always goes with the flow. You may find that others will follow your lead! - 15784
At leading academic summer camp SuperCamp, educators understand how peer pressure can complicate friendships and social interactions. For 27 years, they have been helping teenagers effectively deal with peer pressure and other social predicaments by equipping them with the life skills neccessary to confront uncomfortable situations with ease and confidence. The people most affected by peer pressure are teens, still trying to figure out who they are, where they want to go, and with whom they wish to be associated. Every teenager will feel the effects of peer pressure at some point, but there are always ways to keep it from affecting your life and personal choices.
Imagine this scenario: You and a group of friends are driving to an awesome concert and everyone is enjoying themselves. Suddenly, someone suggests taking the 'party' to the next level and pulls out a bottle of alcohol pilfered from Dad's liquor cabinet. You do not want to drink, but everyone else is looking at you expectantly. How do you respond?
It is easy to become anxious in these situations, but it can also be just as easy to stand up for your beliefs without offending your friends. That is the origin of most anxiety associated with peer pressure; how do you tell a group of peers that you aren't interested without sounding accusatory?
The first step is realizing that you may need to step out of your comfort zone. Keeping harmony with your friends is one thing, but allowing them to dictate your actions and your level of safety is quite another. It will take courage, but once your friends realize that you aren't a push over and have strong beliefs, it is likely that they will respect you more for it and will remember that in the future.
The next step is saying 'no'. State your position firmly, but avoid putting the person suggesting the activity on the spot. Calmly and simply stating "I don't want to drink" will get better results than "No thanks, dude. I don't want to end up like you." Always avoid personal attacks and make the activity the issue, not the person suggesting it. Sometimes a little humor can lighten the situation; making a lighthearted joke about the possible consequences can get your point across and give others an opportunity to agree and "back out."
If you are not comfortable saying 'no', try ignoring the suggestion altogether and pretend that you didn't hear it. Turn up the radio, concentrate on your homework or on what someone else is saying, and don't acknowledge what was said. Your friend may take the hint and the whole idea may be dropped.
You can also blame your parents. This is one time when your parents' rules actually come in handy. Because every teen knows what it feels like to disappoint their parents with their behavior, saying something like, "No way! If my parents found out, I'd be grounded for the whole summer!" will bring the consequences of the situation to light, and possibly dissuade the situation altogether.
Most importantly, remember that if you are wary of something, chances are, many of your friends are too. If you consistently stand up for your beliefs, your friends will remember that and respect you for it.
You don't have to be a slave to peer pressure. Be known for being an individual who sticks by what is right rather than a person who always goes with the flow. You may find that others will follow your lead! - 15784
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SuperCamp's academic summer programs have been dedicated to improving the learning and life skills of kids and teens for over 27 years. Want to learn more ways SuperCamp can benefit your son or daughter in school and life? Discover 10 Ways to Study More Effectively with a free study skills report.