Today's teenagers are under constant pressure to conform to society's requirements... Media, music, parents, friends and entertainment bombard the youth with the wrong influences, choices and decisions made as a young person can determine the path of a life. Why is peer pressure such a powerful force? How can teenagers receive and relate to God's will and where can they start? How can teenagers make decisions that are truly their own without being based on pressure from others?
Question: Why do teenagers give in to peer pressure?
Teens, like adults, are influenced by their peer group. This is normal behaviour and is modelled for them by the adults around them almost every minute of every day. We all conform to the social standards set by our peer groups and our teenagers see it.
That said, teens will tend to follow their peers in behaviours that are not considered appropriate or where they will leave their common sense behind. Part of the reason is the 'newly found' importance of friendships, as teens are just getting used to their friends having any say in what they do. Then there is the 'everyone is doing it' factor that can make a teen feel compelled to comply. Wrap that all up with the normal curiosity that often leads to the risk-taking behaviours of teenagers and you have a believable reason why teens give into peer pressure.
The Heat is On
Are you feeling pressured by those around you? There are so many choices that you have to make in a day. Do I wear my hair up or down? Will this jacket make me look cool enough? These are just simple daily questions we may ask our self. But what do you do when it is a question of your faith?
You are growing up so fast; you don't want to be treated like a little kid any more and you wish your parents would stop babying you. Yet in truth you are not quite an adult and able to handle all the responsibilities that come with being an independent adult.
Being a teenager is a truly challenging time, as one can feel caught up in a "time warp" between being a child and being an adult. So you may want to stop talking to your parents or other adults in your life . That only leaves you to make the tough choices on your own. So what do you say to your friends or do when you are confronted with decisions that you know are not right?
Choices
Check out this Face Book web site. I have an account. Do you want one?It's hard to believe, but this is your reality. You can probably add more to the list. Actually why don't you jot down some of the decisions that you are faced with at school, friend's houses, with your boyfriend or girlfriend, or even while babysitting.
It is so easy to go along with what everyone is doing and think that no one will notice you in the crowd. Maybe you think it's no big deal, that you're just being more independent. If doing some of these things is no big deal, let's look a little closer at your heart and see what it feels when you are engaged in some of these activities:
Even if you never tell anyone how you feel inside, you do feel that way inside and God sees what is inside your heart. He knows what you've been up to no matter how good you can hide it from your parents, your teachers, your friends or even yourself. God loves you so much, and He understands that everyone including teenagers even children are faced with those tough choices that can lead us to sin. He also has made the Bible available to all people to help guide them in times of need. You are His child. This time in your life is special. You are on your way to becoming an adult you are leaving childhood. You are getting a little more freedom and you're learning to express yourself in new ways.
You have talents and gifts that are starting to surface. But on the way to adulthood, are many years that can be filled with unhappiness, and regret. If you have made poor decisions and compromised what you believe in, God is faithful and just wants to forgive you of your sins...
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