Peer pressure occurs at every stage of life, although it may be more challenging as an adult. Peer pressure is defined in Cambridge Dictionary as “the pressure you feel to act with a specific goal in mind because your friends or others you interact with expect that you should.” If you allow it, it very well may be a strong power.
When you were younger, you could have hated your parents for “forestalling” you from engaging in risky, uncomfortable, or dishonest behaviors. Amy wants you to spend the night with her despite the fact that her parents won’t be present. Emma advises that, taking everything into account, you discreetly leave the pre-game event and head to the shopping center. Greg agrees that you ignore the curfew. As a high school student, being lured into peer activities might be enjoyable but it comes with the very possible ever present pressure from both parents and school.
As a grown-up yet? Peer pressure never really goes away. However, a lot of the leeway you may have had while you were in high school disappears over time. What do you do when you’re an adult and there is less support?
One option is to give in. Peer conflict may be profitable, even fantastic. People who are feeling good companion tension may choose to do activities like go for a walk with friends during their mid-day break. They may also spend less money, attend a yoga class after work instead of going out, or join a book club to increase their reading. Someone who is important to a wide number of friends may also choose to stop pretending to enjoy smoking, drinking, or berating others if that isn’t something they actually personally enjoy and just indulge in it because “everyone else does” . It is a significant concern when peer pressure is unsafe. Everyone may think back on a time when they were forced to perform something they either didn’t really think they should be doing or were absolutely certain was wrong or unenjoyable. Yielding to prevailing pressure can take many different forms, from something as simple as overpaying on a group shopping trip to acting harshly at work or engaging in risky behaviors like driving after binge drinking or consuming drugs. When peer pressure is present, you may make a significant mistake by choosing a path that is too far away from the norm. If you change your thoughts and behavior to fit in with a group, it might put the people and things you value most in danger.
There are several ways that peer pressure might manifest. Verbal or spoken peer pressure occurs when someone instructs or commands another person to carry out a particular action. The person will speak in a way that influences that person’s decision. They might use verbal pressure in a concerted setting, but they might also use pressure tactics in a social setting. It is better to politely decline or say no to a solicitation before a gathering. Young people and adults alike may attest to this.
When you are offered the choice of whether to mimic a person or a group’s behavior, you experience implicit companion pressure. When you’re at a party, maybe someone distributes drugs to the crowd, or maybe your friend calls his significant other while already drunk to get permission to stay out later. Making a decision on the spot might be difficult.
Unobtrusive, yet harmful peer pressure exists! Perhaps when you hear someone else being discussed, your behavior towards them alters Or on the other side, perhaps you’ve heard that moving up in your workplace requires joining the “gang,” getting “wasted”, or using dishonest tactics to outbid rivals on a project.
How to protect oneself from peer pressure
Be assertive:
You must have had support from your family when you were a young adult, or perhaps you have taught your own children to turn down demands they view as impolite. Adults may need to remind themselves that just because an idea is brilliant for someone else doesn’t necessarily imply it’s the best one for them. No matter who they are, even if you think they are absolutely fantastic. Don’t be afraid to respond assertively. Being certain is obviously not impolite. Clear communication is also affable.
If you feel pressured to do anything disagreeable or incorrect, take a deep, relaxing breath, look at the person without flinching, and simply reply “No.” You might also respond with “No, thank you.” In contrast, “Not my jam, but thanks for the invitation.” If you want to give your actions some legitimacy, try using phrases like “I think,” “I will,” and “I need.” Models often include the phrase “I think I’ll pass.” I’ll have to think about it, she said. I’ll probably decline since I need to schedule more free time.
If the person who is pressing down on you is someone you know well, you might be able to guess what they would say or do. In light of this, you can prepare (or practise) your response. Create a concise article. Locate a supporter of your choice and discuss it with them.
Take some time to center yourself.
Take a moment and consider this:
- Is this feeling appropriate? Suppose you’re trying to decide whether to buy another house, but the price is a little out of your price range. Determine whether you feel pressured to “keep up with the Joneses” and relocate to a better or bigger region or whether the house is actually the greatest match for your family. Ask yourself if a new employment will fulfill you as you consider it. Is it true that you are thinking about it just to please someone else?
- What do you admire about yourself or What statements about you would you like to make?
- Does this option benefit your well-being, financial situation, or prosperity?
- What is the true direction you think your life should go?
- Would you agree that you are more likely to be negatively impacted by your peers when you’re uncertain?
If you are unsure about what to do, try and discover your moral or internal compass. Authentic north of you, really. Keep up your routine and see how your body responds to the environment. You’ll frequently get information about what is best for you to accomplish from your real reactions. Think about the question at hand, and pay conscious attention to how your body reacts to get at it. Do you experience nausea? Is it true that you are silent or tense? Have you started to get feelings of self-doubt, insecurity, and a loss of personal identity? Does it create anxiety and stress? Does it affect your sleeping pattern? If that is the case, try to allow yourself some time before making decisions so that you may reach a conclusion that is right to and for you alone before others. Self-reflection enables people to assess their past experiences, present choices, and the impact peer pressure has had on their life. It takes courage, confidence, and the capacity to analyze the impact of negative influences in order to confront them. Negative influences can be managed and their effects lessened by employing techniques including avoiding exposure to unfavorable situations, participating in open-minded conversations, and seeking out other viewpoints. In order to avoid peer pressure and live a fulfilling life, it is essential to embrace your special talents, values, and views. Each person is distinct in their traits and ideals, which define who they are. You may develop a feeling of self-appreciation and learn to embrace your own individuality by embracing and appreciating these attributes. Self-acceptance serves as a potent defense against pressure from others to fit in. The ability to overcome obstacles and failures is resilience. Building resilience involves maintaining optimism, engaging in self-care, creating a network of allies, and reinterpreting challenging situations as learning opportunities. With the help of these techniques, people may resist peer pressure and stay on their own path.
Techniques like writing, meditation, and getting feedback from trustworthy people can help with self-reflection and offer insightful information about how peer pressure affects us. The tension and worry that peer pressure may cause can be effectively managed with the help of healthy coping techniques. Exercise, deep breathing, taking up a hobby and asking loved ones for emotional support are some more strategies that can help deal with the emotional difficulties brought on by social pressure.
Individuals who take the time to reflect on their prior experiences and learn from their mistakes are better able to adjust to changing circumstances and resist peer pressure.
It may be helpful in some circumstances to also seek professional assistance in coping with peer pressure. People who are dealing with the consequences of peer pressure can find it helpful and judgment-free to receive services like counseling wherein individuals get the chance to examine their peer pressure experiences, feelings, and issues with the help of professionals in a private, secure setting. Therapists, counselors, or coaches can offer direction, resources, and methods adapted to specific requirements, assisting people in creating efficient coping mechanisms and effectively navigating peer pressure.
Dealing with peer pressure as an adult requires self-awareness, assertiveness, and the ability to set and maintain personal boundaries. Individuals can resist unwanted influences, embrace their individuality, and make decisions that are consistent with their true selves. Although the journey towards self-discovery, growth, and empowerment is continuous, it is one that over time leads to a more fulfilling and authentic life.
By –
Komal Botadra
Counseling Psychologist
LetsGetHappi Mental Health App