Peer pressure

What is peer pressure?

Peer pressure is the direct or indirect influence that a peer group has on an individual. It is defined as feeling obligated to do something because your friends are doing it and expect you to.

Different types of peer pressure

Types of peer pressure can broadly be described as positive or negative, direct or indirect, and spoken or unspoken.

Positive peer pressure

Positive peer pressure could be encouragement and good influence towards positive behaviours and outcomes, such as academic success, healthy choices, and social responsibility. Good examples of this could be friends encouraging each other to study, take part in volunteer work, or make responsible decisions in the face of peer pressure on things such as drinking, smoking, or drugs.

Negative peer pressure

Negative peer pressure could involve encouraging behaviours that are harmful or risky, or going against one’s thoughts or feelings – often to fit in with a group. An example of this could be pressuring someone to smoke, drink, or use substances.

Direct peer pressure

This is explicit or overt pressure, often involving direct requests or demands to participate in specific behaviour. For example, your friend directly asking you to do something that you do not want to do to fit in or be accepted.

Indirect peer pressure

This is often a subtle influence, when someone feels pressured to conform without explicit pressure because of observing others. For example, feeling pressured to join your friends if they are drinking, or feeling the need to adopt a particular behaviour to fit in with a group.

How to say no

It can be hard to say no to people you look up to or your friends, especially when they’re all joining in and pressuring you. You may feel like you must give in to the pressure to be accepted. This is not okay, and it is not your fault. Say it with confidence, be assertive, and avoid situations that make you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Find friends that share the same values or accept your values and boundaries. Think of an excuse or suggest something else to do. Finally, stand up for others and stand up for what you feel is right.