These statements are indeed a clear manifestation of what peer-pressure is and how it has affected the young ones of today.

Nowadays, fitting in and being accepted is becoming an issue towards adolescents, who in one way or another, struggle to have their own clique and to become the coolest kids there is in town.

For most of them, being liked and respected by their peers is a top priority which is why they will do whatever it takes to conform. Being the only person to say “NO” during these certain circumstances might be very difficult for the young ones trying to get along with a group.

However, peer pressure doesn’t always mean negative. There are some peers who will influence you positively and in a good way. It’s just a matter of better judgment and common sense. But as to how exactly we use this, is the true question.

This is where our inner strength, beliefs of what is right and wrong, self-confidence, and resistance to triggers come into place. As parents, we should make sure that their core beliefs should be established early on for them to weigh up every situation properly. It is for this reason that open communication among teens and parents must be stressed and given importance; so that they feel that we are there for them to listen, to guide them, and know most importantly that we are not here to accept their mistakes but correct them in the best way we can.

In any case, if your teen has already made a mistake and given into peer pressure, remember to reconsider and help them get back on track. Avoid saying things that might end up with both parties exhausted and upset. Show them that even though they did wrong, they can always move on and start anew. Your support matters most to adolescents. Let them know that it is okay to commit a mistake, learn from it, and pick themselves up, and that paramount to all these things is to keep going and vow to never commit the same mistakes again.