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Do Teenagers Drink for Pleasure or Peer Pressure?

July 25, 2011
Author: Chris M. Alexander

Teenagers spend much of their time with their friends. This means that their friends have a big influence over them. This peer pressure can be a negative or positive influence on teens. The type of friends they have could lead them to drinking and many other bad habits,because most teenagers do not drink for pleasure; they do it due to peer pressure.

Teenage Risk Taking and Peer Pressure Leads to Drinking

Teenagers partake in many risky behaviors when they are trying to discover themselves and find an identity of their own. This sometimes leaves them very susceptible to testing substances that can be harmful to them. Peer pressure can add negative consequences to this situation. Underage drinking is predisposed to other unsafe practices and conditions like:

• Unprotected earlier sex
• Lower self-esteem
• Behavior issues
• School performance issues
• Depression

Communication is the Key to Prevent Drinking in Teens

Parents that are successful in steering their teenagers away from these and other harms communicate with their teens. Communication minimizes the chances of teens being vulnerable to harmful peer pressures. This can stop them from picking up bad habits like drinking. Teens that have parents and close relatives who communicate with them frequently are less likely to try smoking, drinking and drugs.

Steer Teens Away from Drinking and Other Harmful Behaviors

Parents must instruct them on how to stay away from circumstances where alcohol is around and how to handle the situation positively. This will counter act the negative influences of peer pressure.

Parental Influence over Teenagers and Drinking

Parents can also assist them with choosing friends that are not into bad habits. Parents have a lot more positive influence over their teenagers than they realize even when they are not physically around. However, this is only possible if they take the time to exercise the natural authority and influence they have.

Speak with Teenagers and Get Help with Drinking Behaviors

Moms and Dads must speak with their teenagers if they suspect that they are being negatively influenced by their peers to drink or to take part in anything negative. For severe problems,take an appointment with a medical professional that knows how to deal with teenagers. Take advantage of psychologist, counselors, or anyone that your teenager can build a relationship with to work out their problems.

Tags: Alcohol Abuse, Peer Pressure, Underage Drinking

This entry was posted on Monday, July 25th, 2011 at 4:32 am and is filed under Alcohol Abuse, Teenage Drunk Drivers, Underage Drinking . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.