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Peer Pressure: An Introduction

Parents, teachers, and kids talk about peer pressure all the time. They talk about how it has a strong influence on kids, and say that it can be a big problem in the school community. So what can parents do to help their kids resist peer pressure and have a positive influence on the other kids around them?

Did You Know?

Peer pressure has a strong effect on kids when it comes to risk behaviors:

  • Students surveyed in Logan County, Ohio, stated that peer pressure was one of the top three factors that influenced high school students to drink alcohol.1
  • The smoking rate among kids who have three or more friends who smoke is 10 times higher than those who report that none of their friends smoke.2

The ability to resist peer pressure comes from a combination of many factors, including self-esteem, respect for others, and experience. And while you won’t always be there to get your child out of negative situations, you can help prepare her or him to be a positive influence on other kids and to make smart decisions, even in the face of peer pressure.

Frequent Questions and Concerns about Peer Pressure

Find answers to your questions and concerns about peer pressure.

What Is Peer Pressure?

Peer pressure, though it seems like a simple issue, can be very complicated. Learn more about identifying cases of peer pressure.

Resisting Negative Peer Pressure

You can help your kids resist negative peer pressure by taking the time to talk with them about it and helping them acquire the tools and skills they need.

Encouraging Positive Peer Pressure

Peer pressure can be negative, but kids also have the opportunity to be a positive influence in the lives of other children by encouraging them to do good things.

Peer Pressure: Summary and Next Steps

Find valuable resources to help your kids deal with peer pressure.

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1. Mandy Hochstedler, “Peer Pressure, Parental Tolerance Contribute to Underage Drinking,” Bellefontaine Examiner Online (2009), http://www.examiner.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=461….

2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Changing Adolescent Smoking Prevalence, Smoking and Tobacco Control Monograph 14 (2009): 85-89.

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