Peer Pressure - Five Ways to Help Teenagers Beat Peer Influence

Young people generally want to fit in to their various social groups so peer approval is a significant driver for their behaviour. For a young person resisting peer influence can mean isolation or instant ostracising so it sometimes takes great strength of will to refuse to follow the crowd.

It is important for parents to understand the value of peer groups for young people and also remember that peers can be positive influences.

While the increased influence of peers is a normal part of a young person's development they can sometimes use some help to resist the pressure to conform that is placed on them.

The following ideas may assist you to help young people resist unwanted peer pressure:

1.Talk about peer influence with young people. Be open and frank about the subject. Let them know that while much of the influence of their friends is positive, some is not in their best interests

2. Teach young people how to say no - and still save face and status among their friends. Allow them to blame you for not letting them do something they don't feel comfortable with but can't admit to.

3. Encourage them to think through the consequences of their decisions. The adult brain doesn't kick in until around 24 or 25 years of age and the last connections are fomred are those that help the reasoning process. So young people need help thinking through the outcomes of their choices. When young people are put on the spot they should think about the risk factors involved and err on the side of caution. Encourage them to think "Is this behaviour smart? Is it in my best interests?"

4.Avoid making your young person reliant on the approval of others, including you, as the basis of their self-esteem. Allow them to feel comfortable holding opinions and views that are different to yours.

5. Avoid criticising your teenager's friends, as he or she may take it personally. Discuss your concerns and talk about behaviours rather than personalities when you discuss their choice of friends. Criticise their frinds and you run the risk that they will listen more to their friends than you, particularly if they are at a challenging stage of their development.

Michael Grose is The Parent Coach. For seventeen years he has been helping parents deal with the rigours of raising kids and survive!! For information about Michael's Parent Coaching programs or just some fine advice and ideas to help you raise confident kids and resilient teenagers visit http://www.parentingideas.com.au

---

Raising a Violent-Free Teen in 10 Easy Steps

The disquieting behavior of teenagers in the 21st century, is... Read More

5 Tips for Improving Communication With Your Teenager

Parents are always looking for ways to open up the... Read More

Create a Story Book with Your Child

A fun way to build your child's imaginationWriting is still... Read More

How Children Can Read Faster and Better

For most children, it is easy to learn to read... Read More

Top Ten Ways to Raise Emotionally Intelligent Kids

Having a high level of emotional intelligence in your children... Read More

Am I Really A Stroller-Monger?

I was reading "A Modern Infant Armada", a humor column... Read More

Top Seven Tips for Back-to-School Success

Parents play a critical role in their child's success. These... Read More

The Top 10 Tips on Hiring a Babysitter

1. Encourage your babysitter by keeping their favorite foods/snacks on... Read More

Is Your Child Learning Nothing?

You send your child to school and the teachers teach... Read More

10 Steps to School Year Success

One of the most important aspects of parenting, is ensuring... Read More

Ritalin (Methylphenidate) in the Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Ritalin is a good medication with a bad reputation. Its... Read More

Diapers: Do You Choose Disposable Or Reusable?

Diapers..Changing a dirty diaper is not the best part of... Read More

Celebrating Life with Children in September

Here are ten simple pleasures you can enjoy with your... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: Teens and Violence

I have a bit of a different response than most... Read More

Eating Disorders in Children

If I had a dollar for every time I persuaded... Read More

Picky Eater Syndrome

'Picky Eater' is a label coined to describe the phenomenon... Read More

How Public Schools Coerce Parents Into Giving Mind-Altering Drugs To Their Children

Despite the potentially dangerous side-effects of Ritalin, public school authorities... Read More

Selecting and Hiring Childcare Employees

In today's fast-paced society, many families depend on some form... Read More

Americas Public School System --- Brutal and Spartan

The public school system in America has become a dismal... Read More

Spend Time Not Money With The Kids This Winter

Spending quality time with your children doesn't need to cost... Read More

Ease Bug Bites with Easy Herbs

Summertime means insect bites and stings. Ouch! Take a leaf... Read More

Second Letter to My Daughter

Dear Camille,As I thumb through the photographs that I carry... Read More

Things To Teach Your Teenage Driver

Is it hard to communicate with your teenager about issues... Read More

What Do Chinese Water Torture and Arguing with Children Have in Common?

Imagine yourself lying flat on your back, totally strapped down... Read More

Raising Strong Daughters

When my daughter was born, I must admit there was... Read More

War Declared On Instant Messenger: How to Stop Your Child from Wasting Their Life Away Online

Hey Parents! I hate to tell you, but there is... Read More

The Financially Intelligent Parent: 8 Steps to Raising Successful, Generous, Responsible Children

What you say and do about money has a profound... Read More

Being A Mum - It?s About Them And Not About You!

So you want to be a mum? Every time you... Read More

Reading, Writing, Rithmetic -- and Recess!

Recess has begun disappearing in states all around the country.... Read More

Homeschooling Takes Your Child Out of Public School --- A Unique Benefit

Home-schooling removes children from public school. That alone makes home-schooling... Read More

Personal Honor

There are moments in a parent's or grandparent's life, when... Read More

Promoting Your Childs Motor Development

Assuming there are no serious motor problems present, what can... Read More

Helping Your Child to Deal with Change

Fall marks the beginning of many new things both for... Read More