Dare to be different - so they say. But what if being different means you will be subjected to being shunned, bullied, or ridiculed? It’s embedded in our human nature to want to be accepted, especially among our peers. Anything that is out of the social construct of what society has set in place is deemed not normal.
You don’t want to be labeled an outcast, so instead of going against the flow, you conform to what other people want you to be. This is considered peer pressure.
Statistics show that 90% of teens have experienced some form of peer pressure. Reports also show that 28% of those who have experienced peer pressure stated that by succumbing to peer pressure, it improved their social life. On the contrary, giving in to peer pressure can also have adverse effects such as depression, anxiety, and a lack of self-confidence.
Grab your boxing gloves and get ready to fight back against peer pressure with these few tips:
1. Stand up for yourself.
There’s a saying that goes, “If you stand for nothing, you fall for anything”. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it. Vocalizing how you feel can be uncomfortable, but the consequences of not speaking up for yourself far surpass the outcome of remaining silent.
2. Choose the right friends.
Finding friends with similar interests will lower the chances of being exposed to peer pressure. You won’t have to try to fit in as you are already accepted for who you are.
3. Understand that you are in control.
We are all in control of our destiny. You should never give anyone the power to influence your thoughts, actions, or beliefs that are not in your best interest.
By Quinea Calloway