The children that goes with you to school are called your peers and they can either have a negative or positive influence on you, Through your life you will always encounter people who will try and influence you - sometimes in bad ways.
It is up to you to make the right decision and learn to handle peer pressure. It is not always easy and you will sometimes feel you are going to be left out if you do not do things with them, but it is very important to remember that first of all you have to be true to yourself and if that means you are not one of the "cool kids" that is also fine - at least you will do the things that you feel comfortable with.
This influence that other children are trying to have on you is called peer pressure. As you get older you will have to make a lot of decisions about this.
What is peer pressure?
People around your (your peers) influences your life every day, even without you noticing it. You listen to them and they will also listen to you, since it is only natural to communicate with children of your own age.
Peer pressure is not only bad. It can be a good thing where your friend helps and motivates you, but unfortunately there will always be the peers that are trying to get you to do things that are not right.
Why do some people give in and not stand up to their peers?
A lot of children give in to negative peer pressure because they want to be liked and accepted by their peers and are scared of rejection.
Other children will give in because they are curios and they want to be part of the group and "everybody is doing it".
How can I resist and walk away?
It is not easy to say NO but if you believe in yourself and you are true to yourself and you want to do the right thing, you will be able to walk away.
If you have one friend that is prepared to say no with you, it will be much easier to walk away. It is a good thing to be friends with people who has the same values as what you have and respect your decision.
You have to come to a point where you decide that if somebody does not respect your decisions and they do not accept that you do not want to give into peer pressure and they do not respect it, then they are not worth being your friends.
Good friends look out for one another and do not try to get them in trouble. You will maybe feel that you are going to end up without any friend, but eventually you will meet somebody that accepts you for who you are.
If you continue to have to face peer pressure, talk to an adult for some advice.
As I said before, peer pressure is not always a bad thing, it can also be positive where your friend pressures and encourages you to do the right thing.
Watch the video for some more information
