How To Handle Peer Pressures

Everybody, no matter what age, is faced with pressure to 'fit in'. In our teenage years this pressure can be even stronger because no one wants to feel like an outsider. Peer pressure can sneak in and take over your life choices. There are things you can learn to help you deal with it when it is a problem. This blog is going to help you ways to deal with peer pressure.

Peer pressure is when you feel you 'have to' do something that you might not usually choose to do. It is when you choose to do this to fit in, or 'be cool', amongst your peers. This might be:
When people try to persuade you to do something – "come on don't be weak”, "you are just chicken", "you're straight", "you are frigid", etc. 
Being expected to look or be a certain way to "fit in" – you might try to wear the 'right things' to fit in with the 'popular group' or do things so you don't get teased.
Peer pressure can be pretty sneaky. Sometimes you don't even know it is happening or that you are choosing to do things because of it. Sometimes people might use the fact that they know you want to fit in to make you do things you don't want to.
To many people's amazement, peer pressure is not all doom and gloom. It can actually be a really positive influence in your life. It can be a way to:
get to know your limits and what you are willing to accept improve your ability to make your own choices understand who you are as a unique and special individual - you are like no other! introduce you to positive things like interests, music, friends… get you involved with positive people doing something worthwhile, eg. youth group, Green Corps, community helpers, sports team, church, drama or music group.
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.
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.  
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.
How you deal with peer pressures can be different for everyone. There are a few things you might think about. 
Most importantly, be true to yourself. Make your own choices. Get to know who you are and what is good for you and your life. Our 'Self-esteem and confidence' topic can help with some tips.  
Think about what someone gets out of pressuring you to do something. Is this really for your benefit? Or for theirs? What do they get out of forcing you to do something you don't want to? 
Think about what you are getting out of the choices you are making. What would you like for yourself in the future? How are the choices you are making now going to help or hinder your ability to achieve these goals? What might you do to get there in the most successful way you can? 
Learning skills like assertiveness can help. This can mean using messages like "I think…", "I feel…", "I will…" or "I want…"if someone is pressuring you to do something you don't want to, talk to someone you know will listen and help you. Keeping it inside and carrying your worries around can make things even harder to deal with.
Find things you are interested in.Hang out with a range of different people and listen to what is important to them. There is no one way of doing or viewing things. Think about what is most important to you and who you are as an individual! You might find that a different group of people is more like you. Give it a go and find out! Giving it a go can mean you learn more about what is good for you – whether you decide that you think they are people you wouldn't want for your friends, or 'groovy hipsters' (you've found a group that just suits you)!
Learn from your mistakes and learn from your peers - their successes and their mistakes. This can help you make positive choices about your own, swinging, fun-loving life!

Here is a video about Peer Pressure that I think is very informal on the situation.