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Peer Pressure leads to "Good Teens Making Bad Choices" which is very common today.
Teen Peer Pressure can be extremely damaging to a
pre-teen or teen that is desperately trying to fit in somewhere -
anywhere in their school. They are not sure what group they belong in,
and those that are suffering with low self esteem can end up fitting
more comfortably with the less than desirable peers. This can be the
beginning of a downward spiral. When a child doesn't have confidence of
who they are or where they belong, it can lead to the place that is
easiest to fit in - usually the not the best crowd.
Keeping your child involved in activities such as
sports, music and school clubs can help give them a place where they
belong. We always encourage parents to find the one thing that truly
interests their child, whether it is a musical instrument, swimming,
golf, diving, dance, chess club, drama, etc. It is important to find out
what their interests are and help them build on it. Encourage them
100%. They don't need to be the next Tiger Woods, but they need to
enjoy what they are doing and keep busy doing it. Staying busy in a
constructive way is always beneficial.
It is very common with many parents that contact us
that their child has fallen into the wrong crowd and has become a
follower rather than a leader. They are making bad choices, choices
they know better however the fear of not fitting in with their friends
sways them to make the wrong decisions. Low self esteem can attribute
to this behavior, and if it has escalated to a point of dangerous
situations such as legal issues, substance use, gang related activity,
etc. it may be time to seek outside help. Remember, don't be ashamed of
this, it is very common today and you are not alone. So many parents
believe others will think it is a reflection of their parenting skills,
however with today's society; the teen peer pressure is stronger than it
ever has been. The Internet explosion combined with many teens
Entitlement Issues has made today's generation a difficult one to
understand.
It is so important to find the right fit for your
child if you are seeking residential treatment. We always encourage
*local adolescent counseling prior to any Residential Treatment Programs
or Boarding schools, however this is not always necessary. Many parents
have an instinct when their child is heading the wrong direction. It is
an intuition only a parent can detect. If something doesn't seem right,
it usually isn't. If your gut is talking to you, you may want to listen
or investigate what your child is doing. Parents need to understand
that teen peer pressure can influence adolescents in negative ways. Do
you know who your child's friends are?
If you feel your teen is in need of further Boarding School, Military School or Program Options, please complete our
Information
Request Form. Please visit
Informational
Articles for more beneficial information.
*Local Therapist should be
Therapist/Counselors that "specialize" with Adolescents. |
