Peer Pressure In Childhood – By Alvira Diwan

What Can You Do As Parents, To Fight Peer Pressure In Childhood? – Written By Alvira Diwan

How often has your child asked you for something his friends have? Or to do the things they do? When they want to join the trend no matter how!
They’re under the influence of their peers, people from their own age group in the neighborhood, school and society.

Peer pressure begins when children interact and spend time with other children of their own age group.

It is natural, healthy and important for children to have and rely on friends as they grow and mature. Peers can be positive and supportive. They can help each other develop new skills, or stimulate interest in books, music or extracurricular activities.
Kids often give into peer pressure because they want to fit in.

What can you do as parents?

You cannot isolate your children from the society just because of the threat of them falling into bad influence. All you can do is:

• Teach your child about the importance of decision making for self.
• Let them know the positives and negatives of following anything blindly.
• Ask them to be a trendsetter, a leader rather than being a follower.
• Explain them the concept of having a unique self identity.
• Teach them to say “NO” Whenever they are not comfortable with anything.
• Let them choose their friends, but explain what a good friend is supposed to be like.
• Keep an eye on the company they have. Be extra cautious when it comes to teenagers.
• Give them examples of any negative incidents that you’ve come across with your friends. What you have learnt from the incident would serve them as a lesson.
• Always be available for them. If you’re not available they would go to their friends for advice who are not experts!

 

 

Alvira Diwan
Masters in Clinical Psychology

 

If you have any concerns or questions as parents, leave your comments below & Alvira Diwan will get back to you!