Peer Pressure Article Archive

Advice for dealing with the positive and negative effects of peer pressure, cheating, stealing, harmful friendships, going with the crowd, and risky behavior. Find even more resources about school cliques, peer pressure, and bullying.

• When Your Child Cheats, Take a Parental Time OutLearning that your child cheated may make you see red. However, calming down and slowly finding out why your child felt the need to cheat yields a better outcome, our experts say.
• Divorce: How To Help Your Child at Home and at SchoolDivorce can wreak havoc on a child’s world and affect her life at school. How much information should a parent give a child’s teacher and other adults in the child’s life, and how should the child tell her friends? Our experts provide tips and guidance for parents to help their children navigate this difficult life experience.
• Tips for Preventing Online BullyingOnline “cyberbullying” can be as cruel as anything that happens on the playground—and harder to defeat.
• 10 Ways To Help Your Child Deal With Peer PressureTangible ways to help your child cope with peer pressure.
• Combat Peer Pressure; Arm Your Teen With Self-EsteemExperts agree that children who lack self-esteem can’t stand up as well to peer pressure.
• Replace Peer Pressure With Parent PressureOne of a parent’s best ways to combat peer pressure on their teen is with parent pressure.
• Should You Be Worried About Your Teen’s Peers?Peer pressure is normal.
• Peer Pressure Can Often Be More Positive Than NegativePeer pressure has a bad name.
• Help Preteens Stay Strong When Peers Put Pressure OnPeer pressure is a real concern for parents, and it should be.
• Speak Your Mind If Your Child Forms a Harmful FriendshipHas your child developed a friendship that worries you?
• Talk With Your Child About The Effects of Peer PressureWhat comes to mind when you think of peer pressure?
• High Self-Esteem Can Help Children Face Peer PressureDuring middle school, it’s normal for kids to be self-conscious.
• Make Sure You Set a Good Example Against Peer PressureMiddle schoolers are known for “going with the crowd." Even when doing so goes against their parents’ rules and values.
• Tell Adolescent Girls They Don’t Have To Be PerfectBy the time they reach middle school, many girls have received a harmful message about a need for perfection.
• Help Steer Your Teen Toward Safe, Healthy FriendshipsMany parents worry about negative peer pressure.
• Talk With Your Teen About the Qualities of True FriendsHere are some other qualities of true friends to discuss with your teen.
• Help Your Teen Avoid Peers Who Promote Risky BehaviorSuggestions that may help your teen NOT go along with the crowd.
• Peer Pressure Can Be a Good Thing for Your TeenagerWe often think of peer pressure as a negative force.
• Discuss Cheating Violations With Your AdolescentFew teens want to seem out of step with their peers.
• Suggest Many Different Ways For Your Teen to ‘Just Say No’Sometimes, “no” isn’t enough to stand up to negative peer pressure.