Peer+Pressure

PEER PRESSURE...What will __//you //__ choose?

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 * What is peer pressure??? **

//"Now!" whispered Suki. "Quick, while the clerk's not looking."// <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffffff; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 1em/1.4em Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">//Heart pounding, Leah leaned against the store's unattended makeup display and slid two tubes of lipstick into her purse. She looked bored and detached as she followed her friends Suki and Jill out of the store, but inside she felt panicked.// //"I can't believe you made me do that," Leah wailed.// <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffffff; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 1em/1.4em Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">//"Relax," said Jill. "Everybody does it sometimes. And we didn't make you do it."// <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffffff; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 1em/1.4em Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">//She said nothing, but Leah knew she wouldn't have done that on her own. She'd just had a big dose of peer pressure.//



====<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffffff; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 1em/1.4em Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 30px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline;">**There are so many different ways of peer pressure! The dictionary defines peer pressure as //influences from members of one's peer group.//** ==== ====**Your peers include other kids you know who are the same age — like people in your grade, church, sports team, or community. These peers also influence you by the way they dress and act, things they're involved in, and the attitudes they show. It's natural for people to identify with and compare themselves to their peers as they consider how they wish to be (or think they should be), or what they want to achieve. People are influenced by peers because they want to fit in, be like peers they admire, do what others are doing, or have what others have. **====




 * How can I avoid peer pressure? **

= 1. Build self-esteem. = = 2. Know and respect your personal limits. = = 3. Surround yourself with people with whom you share similar values. = = 4. Remind yourself about the possible negative consequences that can come from giving into peer pressure = = 5. Practice standing your ground. = = 6. Find a confidante. = = 7. Base your decision-making on your own individual personality. =



//__“A child who reaches age 21 without smoking, abusing alcohol or using drugs is virtually certain never to do so.” __//


 * Joseph A. Califano, Jr.,**
 * CASA Chairman and President**

Kids face enormous peer pressure everyday to smoke, drink and do drugs. Peer pressure is a reality of his or her life and every kid has to deal with it.

In a survey of 4239 teens, when asked “What do you think is the biggest influence to try drugs?” 59% responded peer pressure, 32% responded stress and problems, 8% responded examples from movies, music and the media.

Most teens are pressured into experimenting with drugs for the first time by their friends. There are many things you as an adult and parent can do to help your kids fight the peer pressure. Talk with them every chance you get; keep them involved in family functions; continue to enforce family standards and rules; trust them to do the right thing and to make good decisions. Even though you trust them, remain vigilant to signs of trouble. If you suspect your child is making a serious mistake, get the facts and take firm action. If you suspect your teen is using tobacco, alcohol or drugs, a Prevent Peer Pressure screening kit gives you the ability to get confidential, fast, accurate, reliable proof in the privacy of your own home with a test that is simple to use and provides clear answers.

Keeping alcohol, drug and tobacco screening kits in the home sends the clear message to your kids and their friends that your family is serious about not allowing substance abuse to ruin your family. Your kids can use it as a silver bullet to prevent peer pressure, and if all else fails you can use it to get proof positive that you need to get professional help for your child. Like an insurance policy or the spare tire in your trunk, you hope you never use it, but you’ll be glad you have it when you need it.



=Facts about Peer Pressure =


 * ** Peer pressure is most common in students of impressionable age or adolescents, but can also be cited at later stages in life. **
 * ** Children of impressionable age often fail to realize that they are getting into several habits and making several choices as a result of peer pressure alone. **
 * ** Peer pressure is not always negative. There are negative and positive effects of peer pressure. Peer pressure can be positive if the peers help in changing the person for better. **
 * ** Peer pressure can tend to have a diminutive effect on the individuality of adolescents by influencing their choices in terms of movies, music, fashion and their way of life in general! **
 * ** Peer pressure is a serious issue, which can hamper the normal development and growth of a child and hence is not something, which can be dismissed as a temporary phase in high school, college or even later in life! **
 * ** Peer pressure is sometimes cited as one of the main reasons, which leads to unhealthy habits as well as deadly addictions like smoking, drinking as well as drug abuse. **
 * ** Peer pressure can also lead to involvement in unprotected sex and other harmful sexual acts and can also lead to issues like teen pregnancy. **
 * ** Peer pressure can be overcome with some help from you friends, family and your own determination to retain your individuality. **

__ What puts you at risk for Peer Pressure? __


 * low self esteem
 * lack of confidence
 * uncertainty about ones place within a given peer group
 * no personal interests exclusive of one's peer group
 * feeling isolated from peers and/or family
 * poor academic abilities or performance
 * fear of one's peers
 * lack of strong ties to friends
 * feeling that friends could turn on you
 * close bond with a bully