How to Avoid Peer Pressure as Adolescents

Peer pressure is a feeling that one must do the same things as other people of one’s age and social group in order to be liked or respected by them.

Peer pressure is also the direct influence on a person by people changing their attitudes, values, or behaviours.

We all know the difficulties students have to face with their studies. There is a lot of stress on them to score well every time, and it gets even worse when peers get into the scene since our parents, teachers, and society always compare us to them without realising that we are different from others.

These days, we see students forced by groups of people to do things not suitable for their age such as taking alcohol, leaving a sinful life, committing fornication, etc.

I will like to highlight some ways teenagers can avoid peer pressure, which is:

You must be ready to say “No” at all times. like you mean it. When saying no, make eye contact with the one who is pressuring you to engage in ill practices.

Make sure your reasons are clear, simple, and ensure they understand by explaining why you said no.

Be repetitive: Repeat your ‘No’ anytime they come to you again and again.

Use of non-verbal language: Make sure your attitude is letting them know your No is clear.

Seek support: Tell an adult or your parent to help you out if the pressure gets out of hand.

How you can approach an adult when you are being pressured:

Most teenagers do not know how to approach an adult, and that is where they get it all wrong. When you choose to confide in your fellow teenagers rather than an adult, it can lead you astray. Because your age-mates are limited in the ways they reason and see things.

How you can approach an adult:

Tell the adult you want to see him/her in private.

Express yourself and tell the truth.

Do not lie, so the adult will know how to help you.

Seek adult advice.

Ask the adult if the best way to avoid pressure is to say no.

Peer pressure, if not well managed, can cause devastating effects on teenagers. Engaging in sexual activities, stealing, using illicit drugs or alcohol, engaging in cyber-bullying or physical bullying, and malpractice.

As an adult, do not criticize a teenager when they report a peer pressure case to you because they might feel ashamed or rejected by people.

What to do when a peer pressure case is reported to you:

Console the victims, give them good advice, and make sure you explain to them why they should avoid peer pressure. Make them understand that there is a difference between positive and negative peer pressure.

As a teenager, I believe that every adolescent will face different forms of peer pressure as they grow up.

Loneliness is not an option for students. So, it is our decision as teenagers to do the right thing and avoid negative peer pressure.

My advice to parents is, to mind how you compare, criticize, and most especially how you pressure them to get good grades in their studies.

The recent case of Ejikeme Mmesoma who forged her JAMB result, could be a result of unexplained pressure from friends or family members.

If you are the kind of parent who mocks or threatens your child repeatedly, then expect that child to keep things away from you. Such a child will be afraid of you at all times.

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