Teens and Peer Pressure: How Parents Can Help

Another job that's particularly challenging is that of being an average, everyday, ordinary teenager living in Anytown, America. Both positions are not only challenging but can sometimes even be dangerous. At the top of the scale for teens today is peer pressure. Ask any American teenager about it. Peer pressure can make you do things you would have never thought of doing. Most of them probably aren't so safe or beneficial for the teen that partakes in whatever it is he, or she, is pressured to do.

Teens will pressure their friends to do anything from taking illegal street drugs to forcing someone to have sex that isn't ready. They feel pressured to do the act in order to be seen as 'cool' or 'hip' by their friends. Teens may even begin to act much differently than usual. They may take on a "thug lifestyle" just because their friends dress and talk that way. That can be just as dangerous as any drug.

Every parent needs to let their teen know that their lines of communication are always open. No matter what time of day or night it may be, no matter if it's in the middle of the Monday Night Football game, or just before your favorite Prime-Time television show, your teen needs to know you are always there for them.

Today's kids are different, much different, than when we were young. The entire world has changed, and youth has changed right along with it. Innocence doesn't last nearly as long as it once did. Things are complicated, especially for teenagers.

Teens that are more prone to following the guidelines of peer pressure usually possess traits such as low self-esteem, feelings of abandonment or loss, lack of confidence, a feeling of isolation from family, and lack of identity.

Many teens will feel as if everything is their fault. This feeling is especially profound if the parents are divorced. They may do things to harm themselves. Behaviors such as cutting, putting themselves in dangerous situations, and even eating disorders may be ways they 'punish' themselves. These can be tell-tale signs of serious underlying problems. It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to pay close attention to these warning signs. Most parents have no idea what their child is going through. A majority of parents simply put their behavior off as 'teen angst', or even 'hormones'.

Kids grow faster and faster today. If we parents aren't there to guide them, where will they learn morals? Kids want so much to impress their friends that they are even willing to commit crimes simply because a group of their friends dared them, or pressured them to do it. Teenagers are faced with the choice of either participating in the act, or being ridiculed by their friends and maybe even their entire school. When faced with this choice, they are certain to take the most ill-advised path. Some of their actions may even end up on your child's permanent record which may stop him or her from entering into college, or worse.

When your teen says they need to talk, be a parent to them and listen. Not only that but, be proactive and ask them about how things are going at school. Also, let them know you're really interested. If we don't listen to them and give them advice on life, someone else will. Someone that may be even more confused than your teenager.

The best way for a teenager to beat peer pressure is by liking him or herself. As I mentioned earlier peer pressure feeds on insecurity and low self-confidence. Make sure to compliment your son and/or daughter. Not only on their looks, but on their accomplishments and personality, as well.