Peer Pressure

People live in society that influences their behaviour. But teen age is the most sensitive not only for the influence but even pressure from peers.
It is in teens' nature to need to be accepted in groups and by peers that are important for them.

The worst consequence of peer pressure is starting bad habits like drinking, smoking and taking drugs. In fact, peer pressure is one of the first reasons for getting addicted.
Peers can also encourage you to do something against law.
How peer pressure is realized? Peers mock, tease, call you "baby", "weak person", express disapproval and disrespect. They do everything to convince you to do something bad.

But peers pressure is not only making you do something "bad". Often you are pressed to do other things that are not so harmful like bad habits. It can be breaking discipline, showing disrespect to teachers, teasing other students. Or, for example, teenagers go somewhere they do not want to, because others ask them.

Many teenagers have a big level of conformity (conformity is dependence on opinions of others). That is why they are under pressure even without any actions of persuading from peers' side.
Teenagers try to wear what "everyone wears" or have what "everyone has". They listen to music that friends and peers listen, they watch films or read book that are considered popular. But in fact they do not want to do all this and feel inner conflict.
In some cases teenagers even do not realize that they do some things under pressure and are sure that this is their own opinion.
The main reason of high level of conformity is low self confidence. Such teenagers are very afraid to lose their position in a group and do not dare to contradict even in trifles.

The first thing to get rid of peer pressure is to start to respect yourself and your own opinion. You must understand that you are a unique person that has own opinions, preferences, thoughts.
You should not worry if your taste in some things is different from what is supposed to be popular and modern or taken for granted in your group.
Do not be afraid to express your opinion, even if you are not accustomed to it. You must start doing it! In the end, peers will begin to respect you.
If you do many things under pressure, you cannot develop successfully as individuality. In this case, you are not free and do not live your own life.

Nika (R)