Peer Pressure Peer pressure takes place when a child does something he or she does not want to do as a result of being pressured by peers. Peer pressure is a part of almost all children's lives. All children experience peer pressure and give in to it at one time or another. While parents can't protect their children from experiencing peer pressure, there are steps they can take to minimize its effects. Some children, rather than experiencing the normal peer pressure that occurs with most children, have one or two bad companions who are a negative influence.
Children choose bad companions for a number of different reasons.
As with peer pressure, there are steps that parents can take to minimize the effect that bad companions can have on their children. If they haven't already, parents should work on developing an open, honest and close relationship with their children. Children who have close relationships with their parents are more likely to identify with and work to please their parents. Children who have close relationships with their parents are also much more likely to come to their parents when they are in trouble or are having problems. Children will be much better able to stand up to peer pressure and the suggestions of bad companions if they have an understanding of the process.