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Rudy Ruggles, Editor
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Friday, 11 September 2009 14:41 |
Too often, people jam the words peer and pressure together and think of it as a bad thing. Truth is, that's only part of the story. Sure, peers have power. But this pressure is only negative when young people feel they're pushed to do something they know is too risky. Peers can also help young people become more independent by encouraging and supporting healthy choices. Peers can invite one another to join teams or clubs, help with homework, or simply listen. You can help young people choose the kind of peer power they want in their lives and what kind of friends they want to be. If young people and their peers are responsible, positive, and supportive, they are more likely to succeed. Positive Peer Influence is Asset 15 of Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets, the qualities, experiences, and relationships that help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.
Research shows that young people whose closest friends behave responsibly do better in school, get into less trouble, and choose activities that give them the best chance of future success. It makes sense for young people to surround themselves with people who bring out their best qualities. In return, they can multiply the benefits by being friends who are also positive influences. In the survey of Ridgefield High School a full 70 percent of Freshmen say their best friends model responsible behavior. However, by the time they become Seniors this number falls by half to only 37 percent.
Peer pressure is especially strong in school. When you notice trouble brewing or young people who are about to make a poor choice-in school or elsewhere-remind them that they have the power to say no-even to a peer or a friend.
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