Activities for Resisting Peer Pressure

It can be easy for a teenager to succumb to peer pressure, especially when he is comfortable conforming to his friends' wishes. Although peer pressure and the desire to "fit in" are common phenomena with both teenagers and adults, certain activities can help foster a sense of independence and avoid the negative influences of peer pressure.

  1. Find a Quiet Place

    • Sometimes a teenager can become so busy and distracted with the demands of school and relationships that it leaves little room in the day to just relax. Have the teenager find a quiet place in order find a calm center within herself. Finding a calm center can allow a teenager to reflect on a situation that's bothering her and give her direction. Make sure the teen avoids technological distractions like the Internet, phone use and text messaging; this time should be set aside for peaceful reflection and meditation.

    Talk About Personal Experiences

    • It may be difficult for teenagers to open up about their own personal experiences. They will open up honestly, however, only if you are honest with them. Share your own stories of peer pressure, how you dealt with it, how you overcame it and your view of the situation today. Keeping an open line of communication is key to having the teen communicate his own experiences of peer pressure. When listening to teens' stories, teach them how to avoid such situations in the future.

    Strengthen Natural Talents

    • Talents differ between different individuals, yet everyone has at least one natural strength. Teenagers should find out what their strengths are: for example, if they write well, play musical instruments well, etc. Focusing on building and honing inner strengths allows the teen to build a sense of independence and pride in her mastery of a skill. Honing a skill can also lead to opportunities outside of the social strata, such as work opportunities. Once your teenager finds a skill, make sure not to support her with excessive praise, but give her opportunities that will enhance her natural gifts, such as giving her music lessons.

    Role Playing

    • Role playing can be a useful classroom activity, allowing students to understand the effects of peer pressure. Divide the classroom into smaller groups and have two volunteers in each group act out various social scenarios. Each student will document what occurred, as well as his reaction and feelings about the scenario. After the role-playing game, return to the normal classroom format and have a discussion on both the game and the effects of peer pressure.

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