Spoken vs Unspoken Peer Pressure Guide for Adult Leader National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism NIAAA

Peer pressure, or influence, comes in several forms, and these types of peer pressure can have a tremendous impact on a young person’s behavior. Research shows the most impressionable age for peer influence seems to be the middle school years. This is when a child is forming new friendships and choosing an identity among those friends. With indirect pressure, adolescents are exposed to the actions of one or more peers and can choose which one to follow. This type of peer pressure can be exemplified in fashion choices, personal interactions, social behaviors, teams, parties, media, and groups of friends, among others. People who feel overwhelmed by peer pressure may find strength and support from family members, friends, or a therapist.

This peer group may be of similar age (e.g., children in the same classroom) but it can also be defined by other commonalities, including motherhood, professional affiliations, and your local neighborhood. Teenagers are people still struggling to find their true identity and meaning in life. They are too young to know that one should stand up for what they believe in, ranging from the tiniest of things like which which of the following is a type of indirect peer pressure? ice cream flavour is the best one, to serious world issues such as political controversies. It is hard to say no to peer pressure because teenagers are always a little desperate to fit in. They’re vulnerable and impuissant when it comes to making sure they’re represented as someone “cool” and popular, therefore causing them to accept any peer pressure given to them even if they consciously know it could harm them.

What is Peer Pressure?

Peer influence is also defined as a feeling that one must do the same things as the people in our social circle and age group to be accepted as a part of that group. Similar to unspoken peer pressure, indirect peer pressure is subtle but can still exert a strong influence on an impressionable young person. When a teen overhears a friend gossiping about another person and then reacts to the gossip, that is indirect peer pressure.

Peer influence can show you there is support, encouragement, and community available to you. By seeing someone else do something positive, even if it’s challenging, you may reflect on your own life choices, goals, and where you spend your time. For example, of the 29% of teens who responded they felt peer pressure to look “good,” girls were more likely than boys to say they feel a lot of pressure to look good (35% vs. 23%).

Relationship Peer Pressure

Children and teens who do not know how to handle peer pressure should talk with a trusted adult or invest in relationships with friends who do not use drugs or alcohol. As a result, the power and impact of digital peer pressure may vary throughout the world. Parents can be the strongest influence in their child’s life if they understand and are aware of the types of peer pressure their teenager is facing. Supporting healthy friendships, modeling responsible behavior and keeping an open, judgment-free family dialogue are three key components of maintaining positive parental influence on a teenager. Asking a young teenager to engage in behavior that is against their moral code or family values is a type of negative peer pressure.

• Building a new social circle that supports your sobriety is another essential step.
• Not only is this evident in the short term, but it has also been observed in the long term.
• It’s similar with sex and « hooking up »—most students have a skewed idea of what others are doing.
• Engaging in open discussions with therapists and leaning on support groups are powerful ways to navigate through this.
• Peer influence can show you there is support, encouragement, and community available to you.
• This might involve distancing yourself from current friends who use substances and seeking out groups or activities where substance use is not the norm.
• A teen is afraid of ridicule and losing his/her friend(s) if he/she doesn’t do what is asked.

It’s essential to reassess your social circles and ensure they align with your goals for sobriety and well-being. By educating yourself and building a recovery-centric support system, you’re setting yourself up for success. With the right tools and mindset, you’re more than capable of overcoming its challenges and staying true to your recovery journey. In your journey toward sobriety and recovery from addiction, understanding peer pressure plays a crucial role.

What is Peer Pressure and How Does It Affect Recovery?

If they pressure you to do shots with them at the bar when you aren’t drinking, for example, you might suggest that you both hit the dance floor instead. Or maybe, you make a plan to go on a hike or to the movies the next time you hang out. That way, you’re fulfilling https://ecosoberhouse.com/ both of your needs in a mutually beneficial way. Dealing with peer pressure can be difficult, but below are some ways to help address it. If you feel uncomfortable with what your peers are doing, formulate a plan or an excuse to exit the situation.

• Instead, it’s the unspoken expectation to conform to the behaviors and norms of your social circle, which might include substance use.
• Types of peer pressure can greatly affect how we decide on all sorts of things, from what to wear, who to date, and even what to eat, drink, or smoke.
• A 12-step program may also be a good option for people who lack family support, as these programs are both anonymous and free.
• If this is done in a one-on-one environment, the recipient of the influence has a stronger chance of adhering to his or her core values and beliefs.
• This forces many young individuals to make on-the-spot decisions under stress, where they usually disregard their own views to fit in or avoid being rude.

Here is an activity you can do to become aware of the different types of peer pressure. Review the following scenarios and ask if each one is an example of direct negative peer pressure, indirect negative peer pressure or positive peer pressure. Examples of these kinds of behavior would be when a teenager hands another teen an alcoholic drink, or makes a sexual advance, or looks at another student’s paper during a test. The other teen is put in a position of having to make an on-the-spot decision. Unspoken pressure to conform can play a significant role in substance use.

It’s a powerful force that can influence your choices, often without you even realizing it. From the clothes you wear to the activities you engage in, peer pressure shapes your decisions in more ways than one. Here’s a breakdown of six types of peer pressure, and tips for parents who want to help their child make healthy, life-long choices.