Peer Pressure vs. Coercion

The big question is, “What should I do to stop peer pressure or coercion?” It can be intimidating to think about standing up for yourself, and make good decisions when your friends are all making bad decisions. Remember that it's important to recognize your feelings and beliefs, and to stay true to them. Some of the easiest ways to stop peer pressure and coercion are to say no, walk away, and stick with friends that share your feelings. And always remember that you can talk to a trusted adult, like a family member or your teacher. Here are some other ways to stop peer pressure and coercion:

Ignore the request - it’s never a bad idea to pretend you didn’t hear someone encouraging you to do something wrong.

Make a joke out of the request - it shows your peers that you think their idea is ridiculous.

Make an excuse to leave - telling your friends that you have to go lets them know that you have things to do that are more important than making bad decisions.

Keep busy with healthy and creative activities - participating in group activities that help to build your confidence and self-esteem makes it easier for you to stand up to peer pressure and coercion, and it also helps you to create a group of friends that share your feelings and interests.