i-Teen-Peer Pressure

‘Now!’ whispered Suki. ‘Quick, while the clerk’s not looking.’

Heart pounding, Leah leaned against the store’s unattended makeup display and slid two tubes of lipstick into her purse. She looked bored and detached as she followed her friends, Suki and Jill, out of the store, but inside she felt panicked.

‘I can’t believe you made me do that,’ Leah wailed.

‘Relax,’ said Jill. ‘Everybody does it sometimes. And we didn’t make you do it.’

She said nothing, but Leah knew she wouldn’t have done that on her own. She’d just had a big dose of peer pressure.

I found this story at kidshealth.org, and it caught my attention because I know as a teenager we will all experience peer pressure, whether it’s to listen to a certain type of music, dress a certain way, or do things we never wanted to do. Sometimes, though, the stresses in our lives can actually come from our peers. They may pressure us into doing something we’re uncomfortable with, such as shoplifting, doing drugs or drinking, taking dangerous risks when driving a car, or having sex before you feel ready.

People may feel pressure to conform so they fit in or are accepted, or so they don’t feel awkward or uncomfortable. When people are unsure of what to do in a social situation, they naturally look to others for cues about what is and isn’t acceptable.

The problem with looking to others in social situations is that everyone is watching one another. She did it cause he did it, so I’m doing it. Peer pressure is a real problem with us teenagers. We have to be leaders not followers. Sound familiar?

Be a leader, but for the right reasons. People like people who know what’s up. People who have control and make decisions. Leaders impact, while people followers are influenced. Don’t let peer pressure influence you in negative ways that become habits. Be in control of your decisions, set your own standards, live above the influence.