This paper examines the impact of peer pressure on children and teenagers as part of the adolescent growing-up process. It begins by explaining the neurological and psychological changes that make young people vulnerable to peer influence, then distinguishes between positive, neutral, and negative forms of peer pressure. The paper discusses how fear of isolation and ridicule drives teenagers toward risky behaviors such as alcohol use, drug use, early sexual activity, and criminal conduct. It concludes with practical strategies parents can use—particularly building self-confidence and teaching assertiveness—to help children resist harmful peer influences.
As part of the growing-up process, children in their pre-adolescent and teenage years begin to question adult standards and tend to distance themselves from their parents in order to develop independent personalities. At this stage of their lives, it is natural for them to turn to their peers for advice, guidance, and as a sounding board for trying out new ideas and values. Conforming to the crowd is also an important consideration for most young people, and as a result they come under peer pressure to do as others do.
Although peer pressure may not always be a negative influence, it can at times lead to seriously harmful consequences. This paper examines the growing-up process, outlines both the negative and positive influences of peer pressure on teenagers, and discusses how parents can help minimize its negative effects on their children.
The behavior patterns of children begin to change during pre-adolescence, and those changes become more noticeable as they enter their teenage years. According to Dr. Elkind — author of All Grown Up and No Place to Go and a professor of child development at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston — most behavioral changes in adolescents result from the development of the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain known as the judgment center. As it matures during the teenage years, adolescents begin to develop their own capacity for independent judgment.
As the brain becomes able to synthesize information into ideas, teenagers start to exercise this new skill, often by arguing with their parents. Another effect of this newly acquired ability is that teenagers begin to see the world more realistically. Whereas younger children idealize their parents and are unable to perceive their flaws, adolescents start to do so. Because most parents are far from perfect, teenagers often feel suddenly disappointed when they compare their parents to their idealized concept of what parents should be (Davis, 2003).
As a result, most teenagers begin to spend more time with their peers than with their parents. This increased contact with people of their own age group is an important part of the growing-up process. Combined with the deep need to belong, it makes young adolescents particularly vulnerable to peer pressure. A study cited by Lashbrook indicates that the influence of peers increases relative to other sources — such as parents — from childhood to adolescence, and appears to peak, at least for antisocial behavior, in the ninth grade.
Despite common perception, the effects of peer pressure are not always negative. Peer groups can be a source of affection, sympathy, and understanding, and can provide a setting for healthy experimentation. They offer a supportive environment for achieving essential developmental functions — such as helping adolescents find their identity and achieve autonomy by discovering themselves as separate and independent individuals (Lingren, 1995).
Positive peer pressure includes the support and encouragement that members of a peer group extend to one another for constructive activities. For example, peer pressure often persuades adolescents to participate in healthy pursuits such as sports and motivates young people to excel in their studies and their careers (Bernstein, 2005).
Peer pressure can also be neutral rather than negative. This includes the naturally occurring pressure to "go along with the crowd" without causing harm to others, and it should not be treated as a problem by parents. Examples include the adoption of particular clothing styles and hairstyles, or tastes in music. Adolescents often adopt seemingly unconventional fashions as part of their struggle to find their own identity; parents should resist interfering in such less consequential matters and give teenagers some breathing room, even when they find it difficult to do so. Parents should ignore such neutral peer pressures even when the results conflict with their own preferences.
"Risk behaviors driven by fear of exclusion"
"Assertiveness training and open communication strategies"
Recent research shows that peer pressure has a much greater impact on adolescent behavior than any other single factor, since it is an inherent part of the growing-up process. Although not all aspects of peer pressure are negative, children and teenagers who lack self-confidence and assertiveness can easily be swayed by their peers into undesirable activities — such as drinking, drug use, sexual activity, or even criminal behavior — against their better judgment. Fortunately, parents can play a key role in helping their children resist the negative effects of peer pressure by teaching assertiveness and fostering self-confidence.
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