The effects of peer pressure can be devastating. Drinking and smoking has already destroyed the hopes and aspirations of many youths around the world. .
Dealing with peer pressure is never easy, furthermore, the determination not to give in to peer pressure lies within oneself. What youths need to realize is that while their peers might be help them in schoolwork, assist in developing their talents, and give them support and motivation to succeed, there are peers that will influence them to do things that will harm them, like smoking, missing school or shoplifting. Discernment is thus essential in the making of friends, and one has to know when a decision will be beneficial, or destructive. One has to go for "quality, not quantity" when making friends, realize that popularity is not very important, and focus on developing strong friendships with peers who have the same ideas and values as oneself, and making friends with those who would respect one's wishes and individuality. The youth also has to have self-confidence and be able to make a stand for what he or she believes in, and stand by it. .
Parents also play an important role in helping their children deal with peer pressure. A common reason why many teens succumb to negative peer pressure is that they aren't sure how they feel about an issue or situation. They need an adult to be there to guide them, and help them in decision-making. Parents thus play a role in the promotion of self-awareness, and helping them build confidence. Talks with their teens, asking them how they feel about things, will begin the process of helping them explore their true feelings about situations. Through this process, teens will have more self-confidence, and in a better position to ward of negative peer pressure. .
Secondly is competitiveness within and outside of school. We have become a society of overachievers, stereotyping losing, or not succeeding as bad, and is a stigma of imperfection.
