Is Pressure Choking You?

There is a very famous saying that when you say YES to others makes sure you aren't saying no to yourself. With emerging new trends and competition, everyone is lined up in the race of success and this leads to getting lost where you are oblivious of your identity.

As most of my articles talks about my personal experience, the same happens here. This is about that phase of life that everyone undergoes; some make wise decision while some just make decisions with the flow. I was under the latter one. I am talking about selection of stream. This guilt would always remain in my conscience.

Peer influence is when you choose to do something you wouldn’t otherwise do, because you want to feel accepted and valued by your friends. It isn’t just or always about doing something against your will.

You might hear the term ‘peer pressure’ used a lot. But peer influence is a better way to describe how teenagers’ behavior is shaped by wanting to feel they belong to a group of friends or peers.

Peer pressure and influence can be positive. For example, your child might be influenced to become more assertive, try new activities, or to get more involved with school.

But it can be negative too. Some teenagers might choose to try things they normally wouldn’t be interested in, like smoking or behaving in antisocial ways.

Peer pressure and influence might result in children:

·choosing the same clothes, hairstyle or jewellery as their friends

·listening to the same music or watching the same TV shows as their friends

·changing the way they talk, or the words they use

·doing risky things or breaking rules

·working harder at school, or not working as hard

·dating or taking part in sexual activities

·smoking or using alcohol or other drugs

How to deal with it:

·Building up child's self esteem and confidence.

·Keep the lines of communication open.

·Encourage a wide social network.

“Peer pressure or influence is strongest in early to middle adolescence.”