Everyone wants to be accepted by the people who make up their immediate and everyday environment. However, this is not always easy. You must admit that at least once in our lives, each of us has felt pressure from a group or community we were a part of. They could be classmates, work colleagues, or a sports team. How to get out of such a confrontation or help a child do it? In this article, we'll talk about peer pressure and the freedom to be yourself in any environment.
Pressure types
The pressure from the child's group feels like trying to get them to act in a certain way. This is usually contrary to the child's inner beliefs or needs, but the child has to do so to please others.
The main types of pressure include:
Non-verbal
If a group has overt or covert leaders who make decisions, the rest of the community is forced to follow them. Nobody usually talks about it out loud, but everyone understands it anyway =)
Negative
Negative peer pressure occurs in situations where a child is forced to violate moral principles, ignoring their own values or social rules.
Direct
It often happens in situations where a newcomer joins an established group. Leaders can then use direct pressure to see if the child will obey their rules.
Indirect
In situations of indirect pressure, no one openly forces a child to do anything, but, looking at others, he tries to repeat their actions himself. For example, if a girl's classmates wear makeup, she too can start experimenting with makeup so as not to be different from them.
Cyber
This is any coercion that takes place online. For example, trying to force a child to post a certain photo on their social networks or leave a comment below someone's post.
Regulatory
It concerns situations where a community has unspoken rules about how to dress, talk, etc. A child has to comply so as not to stand out from others.
Relationship pressure
When teens start dating and declare themselves a couple, there can be a certain pressure to communicate. Those who value relationships more tend to suppress their own desires or needs, ignoring principles.
Positive
The most positive type of pressure is when a group forces a child to do something good: study better, help older people, or clean up trash in public places.
Most of the types of pressure that we have listed can be detrimental to the formation of a child's identity. However, there is some good news. If you can recognize the pressure in time, you can resist it by saying “no” at some point. But how can a child not become an outcast by learning to clearly state his position to his peers?
Here are some tips to help you resist pressure from others:
Time to think
Explain to your child that, whatever the situation, they don't have to answer right away. If he's not sure what he should do, he can take some time to think. A child can always tell their peers: “I need to think” and make an informed decision.
Come up with a valid excuse
Tell your child that if he doesn't want to take part in what his peers are persuading him to do, he can always come up with an excuse to get out of the situation. In addition, there is a great option for the bravest — to offer an alternative idea and change the course of events.
Find a different social circle
If your child is constantly faced with pressure from others, he may want to change his social circle, even if it means moving to another class or school.
It is important: always be interested in your child's activities, ask him about his friends and the classroom and school environment. Create an atmosphere of trust and support: this will make it easier for you to have a positive impact on your child's life, making it much more joyful and enjoyable.
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