It's a good feeling to be important to someone outside the family unit. Children need group support to gather necessary strength to eventually stand on their own. Contact with peers exposes children to values different from their parents'. It's important for children to realize that many different standards exist in the world. However, strong family values give a child a good basis for deciding whether to incorporate new and different values into her life.
Peer groups provide an opportunity to practice by doing, to try out different roles.
Participation in extra-curricular activities and discussions about life and other topics are important rehearsals for adulthood. Feedback from peers is immediate and can be used to modify and refine one's emerging concept of who I am and what roles I can play. Peer influences need not be threatening. Be involved with your child and his friends. Help to guide them toward a positive experience.