A Parent’s Role

The world we live in is a much more challenging place than it used to be. It is a parent’s responsibility to equip their teen with the necessary knowledge and skills to find a clearer path in their walk of life.

It is also the responsibility of a parent to instill a sense of trust in their teen. If your child feels your trust, he or she is more likely to trust you in return. Be there for your child. Instead of scolding and ridiculing them for their mistakes, use those instances as opportunities for learning. Parents will only make their lives harder by simply punishing a child for wrong-doing. Molly Coffey, mother of three—Zack (myself), 17; Ashley, 14; and Jason, 8—says that as a parent, she sees peer pressure in a variety of different ways through the lives of her children.

“I like to think that I’m pretty aware of the peer pressure that goes on in my kids’ lives. But to be honest, I probably don’t,” she says. When Coffey’s children come to her seeking advice, she reminds them that these people are only temporary fixtures in their lives. “I say, ‘The person that is peer pressuring you probably isn’t going to matter to you in a year, maybe five. If it’s something that you really don’t want to do, consider both the gains and the consequences. Usually the consequences will be more detrimental than the potential benefits up for grabs.’ ” Peer pressure can’t be escaped altogether. But parents can help their teens deal with it and look at the healthy and positive sides of it.

Peer pressure can oftentimes be a good thing, especially when it comes to your teen challenging himself academically, performing better in a sport, or setting higher life goals.

If your child comes to you for help with peer pressure, don’t become upset or angry. Know that they have taken the first step to overcoming this giant obstacle— one that is easily defeated when you, the parent, are there by your child’s side.

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