People naturally influence each other just by spending time together. They learn from each other whether they realize it or not. Peer pressure is more than influencing. It involves persuading fellow students into doing something that they do not want to do. The pressure can be good or bad. Research shows that youth peer pressure is “one of the most frequently referred to forms of negative peer pressure.” It is a monumentally difficult for kids.
Everyone, young and old, desires to be liked and belong, but it is vital for teens. As parents, it is important to encourage friendships with teens who hold similar values. We want our kids to be involved with groups that will be positive influences on our kids, and we aspire to keep away those who would exert negative, destructive, immoral influences on our kids.
