Teenage years can be incredibly difficult, for both parents and teens. In part, this is because your teenager is trying to establish their own identity, including forging new social bonds with their peers. It is often these critical (and sometimes fickle) social bonds that can result in peer pressure on teens.

Peer pressure, of course, is often discussed during conversations about raising teenagers. But that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily well understood. For example, not all peer pressure is necessarily negative. After all, your teen could experience peer pressure to do their homework or contribute positively to class. Likewise, peer pressure is not necessarily unique to teenagers (though they may seem particularly susceptible to it).

Understanding what peer pressure is and how it works can help you and your teenager navigate what can often be a challenging experience. 

Where Does Peer Pressure Come From?

Teenagers aren’t the only people who experience peer pressure. It can happen to anyone at any age. Essentially, peer pressure occurs when your friends, co-workers, or other peers try to influence your behavior. The more highly esteemed these peers are, the more intense the peer pressure may be.

While peer pressure can impact anyone, there are some reasons why teens may be particularly susceptible. Teens are often experiencing a great deal of social upheaval. They’re trying to form deeper connections to their friends and build a group of connections around them. Peer pressure on teens can be particularly potent in part because of this unique social environment. 

Additionally, teenage brains aren’t yet fully developed. As a result, teens are not as good as their adult counterparts at considering long-term consequences to their actions. This can have two major impacts: negative peer attention can seem like a much more significant life event and teens may have a hard time thinking through the consequences of negative actions.

Together, these factors can make peer pressure on teens particularly intense.  

How to Help Your Teen Make Good Decisions

Peer pressure on teens can often influence their decision making process. So teaching them how to make good decisions in the first place can help your teen better navigate these situations.

Helping your teen make better decisions could involve:

• Encourage your teen to slow down (and talk through) the decision making process.

• Model good decision-making behavior.

• Teach your teen to clearly identify the problem they are trying to solve or the decision they are trying to make.

• Teach your teenager to list options, alternatives, and solutions when they encounter these decision points.

• Acknowledge and support your teen and their viewpoint.

Offering your teen support and teaching them to make sound decisions can help them resist peer pressure and nurture their self-esteem. A higher self-esteem can often help your teen navigate instances of peer pressure.

Additionally, help your teen recognize when peer pressure is occurring. If your teen’s friends suggest an action that your teen initially resists, it’s important to note how those friends respond and react. Do they respect that decision or try to change it? If your teen recognizes when peer pressure is occurring, they can sometimes make more thoughtful decisions about how much that pressure guides a decision.

What to Do When Your Teen Engages in Risky Behavior

Great communication can help you and your teen navigate peer pressure. But it won’t guarantee that your teen makes sound decisions every time. Making mistakes is essential for growth.

For a parent, it can be difficult to tell when you should let your teen experience natural consequences and when you should intervene. Intervention is generally encouraged when your teen’s physical or mental health are in jeopardy or at stake. For example, if your teen engages in risky behavior, you may want to start taking steps to intervene.

What that intervention looks like will depend on your teen and on what kind of role peer pressure is playing in the situation. It’s important to support your teen and have an open, honest, and productive dialogue. Avoid strong negative judgments; for example, avoid talking about how “stupid” their behavior was or anything that remotely sounds like “I told you so.”

Handling Peer Pressure or Teen Behavior

For better or worse, peer pressure is a common part of growing up. Helping your teen know when peer pressure is happening, what they can do about it, and what to do when they make a mistake can help them navigate these situations when they arise.

While peer pressure can be both negative or positive, parents typically want to help ensure that teens stay away from life-changing risks or actions that are contrary to their teen’s values. Open communication and preparation can help ensure that happens.

If you want to talk to a pediatrician about your teen’s health, contact our Northbrook or Chicago offices today.