PSA: PEER PRESSURE

DEFINITION:

• Social pressure by members of one's peer group to take a certain action, adopt certain values, or otherwise conform in order to be accepted

TYPES OF PRESSURE:

• DIRECTLY- someone straight up telling you what to do or say
• INDIRECTLY- group of people have particular habits that they may not even notice
• INDIVIDUALLY- pressure comes from yourself (want to feel as part of a group)

SOCIETY'S CONTRIBUTION:

• Society has its own kind of peer pressure
• Society influences: Fashion, alcohol and drug use, boyfriend/girlfriend, friend choice, academic performance
• Pushes people to act/behave/dress a certain way to be "accepted"

FACTS/STATS:

• 70% of teens who smoke say they started because of friends.
• 55% of teens felt pressured by friends when using drugs for the first time.
• 19% of teens say they would stop using their cell phones and driving if their friends would.

SOLUTIONS:

• Say no
• Hang out with people who share morals, values and interests as you
• Don't judge others
• Stop negative peer pressure when you see it

SOURCES:

• us.reachout.com
• buzzle.com
• dictionary.com