3 Signs You Are Negatively Affected By Peer Pressure

Life teaches us lessons every day, but the lessons we learn during teen years guide us throughout our lives. Teens are more prone to engage in unethical, immoral and illegal activities under peer pressure as this is the age when kids love to try new things without thinking about the consequences of their actions. Peers play an important role in the life of teens as all their decisions are directly or indirectly affected by them. Sometimes, peers leave a negative impact on the life, decision-making skills, and emotions of teens, which may eventually lead to serious consequences. If, by any chance, you are facing any of the three issues discussed below, then you must starting making an urgent effort to avoid peer pressure before it’s too late.

1. You are Adopting Bad Habits

One of the negative effects of peer pressure is the adoption of inappropriate behavior like smoking, drinking, or even taking drugs just because their friends ask them to do so. An activity that begins as an adventure becomes a permanent habit. Teens know that these activities are not good, but they cannot say no to their friends, lest they lost them and end up isolated. This fear of losing best friends compels them to give in to the pressure.

Parents must teach teens how to avoid peer pressure as it may result in loss of individuality. In extreme cases, teens have no other option but to follow their friends blindly even if they do not want to. Here are a few signs that serve as symptoms of identity loss:

  • Your hairstyle is inspired by your friends
  • Your listen to the same music your peers like
  • You like same food and same restaurants
  • Your peers influence what you wear
  • Your liking and disliking are affected by your friends

Sometimes, peers also leave an impact on our thinking, lifestyle and decision-making. If your actions are defined by your peers, then it is an alarming situation as you are losing your own identity.

3. You have been taking Wrong Decisions Lately

Every person is different from the other. Sometimes, you may want something which your friends may not like. In this case, the best decision is listening to your heart instead of doing what others are asking you to do. Decisions like choosing the same school or choosing the same career just to remain close with friends is not a good idea. If you have been taking wrong decisions lately, it might be due to an extreme level of peer pressure.

What to Do Now?

Now when you have finally realized that you are negatively affected by peer pressure, you need to take some serious action as it is still not too late. Listed below are a few tips to help you get rid of negative effects of peer pressure.

  • Learn to say “No”
  • Listen to friends, but make your decisions on your own
  • Do not get influenced by your friends
  • Do not follow friends blindly
  • Listen to your heart
  • Be confident and stick to your decisions
  • Make it clear to your friends that you have your own taste and preferences
  • Do what you like or what is best for you, not what your friends say

Remember, it’s you and only you who has a control over your life. Do not become puppets in the hands of friends. A good friend will never impose his decisions on you and he will surely respect your taste and decisions. So be brave and live life like the way you want to, not the way your friends want you to.

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