Adolescence:
Change and ContinuityAdolescence:
Change and Continuity
How Much Influence Do Parents Have On Who Their Child's Friends
Are?
Parents do have an influence on who their children are friends with during adolescence. Teenagers choose their friends based on similarities, specifically shared values and attitudes (Muuss, 1990). Therefore, parents need to be aware that their values and attitudes will have a strong effect on who their child becomes friends with. Also, parents who show higher levels of interest, understanding and helpfulness have been proven to have a greater influence (Atwater, 1988). By interacting with their adolescents in these ways while being aware of their values and attitudes, parents can increase the influence they have on who their teenagers choose for friends.
Do Parent Values Affect Adolescent Decision Making About Drugs And Alcohol?
During adolescence, the amount of influence that parents and peers have varies. Parents, through their own use of alcohol and drugs, have more influence during pre-adolescence (Muuss, 1990). It has been shown that adolescents who do not do drugs or drink alcohol tend to come from families who are less likely to use drugs and alcohol (Mcbroom, 1994). During later adolescence, perceived peer use of drugs and alcohol has a stronger effect (Bush, Weinfurt, Iannotti, 1990). Although this is true, the strength of family bonds can have an effect on drug and alcohol use. Adolescents who have higher levels of family bonding are more likely to have friends who do not use drugs (Bahr, Marcos, Maughan, 1995).
Yes, peer pressure does exist. In fact, it has been shown that the need for acceptance is as strong as biological drives (Conner, 1994). Two factors that help adolescents resist negative peer pressure are high self esteem and self confidence (Conner, 1994).
Peer pressure has an effect on drug and alcohol use. One study from 1995 shows, 84% of adolescents who tried drugs did so because of peer pressure (Dupre, Miller, Gold, Rospenda, 1995). Adolescents rate peer pressure as one of the top three reasons for using drugs and alcohol (Dupre et al, 1995). It is quite apparent that peer pressure does in fact exist.
To Read Further . . .
Adults alone no longer prepare young people for the future. Adolescents
are now spending twice as much time with their peers as compared to with
their parents (Brown, 1990). Pressures and influences from peers play a
vital and needed role in adolescent development. Adolescents can experience
negative and positive influences from their peers. However, parents can
influence which type of pressures their child adheres to.
What is peer pressure?
Peer pressure can be described as the influences and pressures adolescents feel from their peers (Atwater, 1988). These peers, whom adolescents look to for approval and support, have been noted as inevitable and necessary (Steinberg, 1996). Peer groups provide opportunities for practicing new behaviors and developing necessary social skills for future interactions (Hendry, Shucksmith, Love, & Glending, 1993). Peer pressures can range from positive influences, such as academic and athletic achievement, to negative influences, such as drug and alcohol use.
Does positive peer pressure exist?
Adolescents experience pressure from all domains. Negative peer pressure has always been a factor in adolescence. However, the flip side is that there is also positive peer pressure. Studies of peer pressure indicate that most teenagers feel that their friends are likely to pressure them not to use drugs or not to engage in sexual activities (Steinberg, 1996). There are also positive pressures to participate and excel in athletics, music, and various other types of extracurricular activities (Steinberg, 1996). This can be viewed as a way for adolescents to become better rounded, exploring positive domains other than academics.
How can parents influence which types of peer pressure their child adheres to?
Family support is crucial to adolescents. Adolescents take their major values in life from their parents. When adolescents are negatively influenced by their peers, it is more likely because something is lacking in parental involvement (Atwater, 1988). Those who do not have a high level of support from their parents are more likely to become involved in undesirable behaviors. Support and effective communication lessen adolescent's vulnerability to negative peer pressure (Hendry, 1993).
To read further......
A common belief that many people have regarding the period of adolescence
is that there is a strong drive in the young person to conform to the norms
of his or her peer group. Often it is believed that the influence of the
peer group on the adolescent comes at the expense of parental control,
but that is not necessarily the case. As noted by Savin-Williams and Berndt
(1990), the influences of parents and peers are usually similar if there
is a positive relationship between parent and child. To understand the
influence that one's peers make on his or her risky behavior, it is important
to look at what the behaviors are, and the methods the peer group uses
to alter behavior.
What are risky behaviors?
Traditionally, risky behavior has denoted actions taken by the individual that increase the likelihood of outcomes reflecting morbidity and mortality. However, one has to look at risk behaviors psychosocial consequences as well, which can be just as damaging as it's biomedical effects(Jessor,1992). There are several types of risk behaviors, but several common ones include the following:
There are two main ways that the peer group can alter adolescent behavior, either verbally or non-verbally. Direct verbal pressure on the adolescent to perform risky behavior is not common; more often the peer group will use more subtle ways to get compliance from the adolescent (Savin-Williams, Berndt, 1990). For instance, the group is not likely to force or order the teen to drink beer, but may allude to him being a baby and the teen will drink so he will look better in their eyes. A nonverbal method can be staring at one of the group members until he feels uncomfortable and then performs the behavior (Duryea, 1985).
Why do adolescents participate in risky behaviors of their peers?
Many researchers feel that the need to belong in a group is very strong in adolescence. This need is what many feel leads adolescents to partake in such risky behaviors (Wolf, Olenick-Shemesh, Addad, Green, Walters, 1995).They state that it is normative for adolescents to feel the need to expose themselves to novel experiences and unsafe environments. This is seen as a way to achieve self-actualization, which is at the top of Maslow's needs pyramid. Other reasons for risky behavior in adolescents include attaining social maturity and establishing identity (Benthin, Slovic, Severson, 1993).
How do we decrease the prevalence of adolescent risky behavior?
The influence of peers on adolescent risk behavior can be strong, but it is not the only influence on adolescents behavior. Parents and other role models still have an impact on the lives of teens. However, one must remember that interventions for adolescents who engage in risky behavior must have certain features. Adolescents need a defensible reason for not engaging in risk behavior (Duryea, 1985). It's important to have a reason to resist the pressure that can be solidly backed up. Interventions also must recognize the functional purpose of risk behaviors, and provide alternatives that fulfill the same needs (Jessor, 1992). Without these, we can't realistically hope to combat the pressure that adolescents face to perform dangerous tasks.
For additional information:
What is a delinquent gang?
A delinquent gang can be defined as a group of people who are guilty of making a common practice of law breaking together (Oxford University Press, 1996).
Adolescent gangs are responsible for a large percentage of the criminal behavior found in urban areas, for example:
Gangs, whether delinquent or not, play a major role in the life of an adolescent member. They can provide:
As part of our society consequences are expected when laws are broken, therefore, consequences are also a part of delinquent gang membership.
This site was produced by students taking HDFS 433: The Transition to Adulthood and HDFS 239: Adolescent Development at the Pennsylvania State University. Feedback can be sent to the individual authors or to Nancy Darling (darling@bard.edu).
Last updated 4/16/01.