The Peer Pressure Equation: Education, Role Modeling, Trust, Resourcefulness

written by Brent Bradford, Ashleigh Evaniew, & Clive Hickson: University of Alberta

We are sure that parents, guardians, and teachers can all agree that it's a tremendous responsibility to help a child or student become a contributing member of society. We can also agree that at some point children and youth will be in a position to make their own decisions. Our hope is that their choices keep many long-term avenues open. In light of the almost daily accounts of athletes admitting to taking performance enhancing drugs, and celebrities involved in drug offences, a topic of discussion we would like to discuss this month is that of 'peer pressure.'

Peer pressure is bound to arise inside and outside of school, and it often occurs with children and youth being influenced with the use of alcohol and drugs. Discussing this topic should be critical for our students' growth and development. How our students cope with peer pressure may help to determine potential life-altering consequences.

What is Peer Pressure? Peer pressure occurs when an individual is encouraged by others to conform to group norms by altering attitudes, behaviors, and/or values. Although it is possible for adults to deal with peer pressure, it most commonly affects youth. Youth are a target for peer pressure due to the rich amount of time they spend in social environments, their reliance on friendship support, and because they usually lack a sufficient level of maturity.

It is probably easy for all of us to recall peer pressure that arose during our own growth and developmental years. Although we discovered (easily, or with difficulty) effective strategies to deal with the array of peer pressure we confronted, we must also help our students to develop skills needed to cope with the amount of peer pressure they will confront. It's not always easy to cope when being pressured by others. We can remember that easily enough. Therefore, let's strive to help our students develop effective strategies to deal with peers in their lives who try "leading them down the wrong path."

In today's society, students face a large amount of peer pressure in various ways. Many are similar to ones we dealt with; however, there are a lot of new ways for peer pressure to present itself. For example, social media now plays a major role in creating new peer pressure situations. Social media such as texting, emailing, facebook, and twitter are a few new ways, new circumstances from those we dealt with, where students have additional opportunities for pressure from peers to occur. They must know how to deal effectively with it.

Examples of Peer Pressure: A few examples of peer pressure that students will no doubt face throughout their growth and development years include:

• Alcohol consumption
• Behavior
• Clothing
• Crime
• Drug use
• Smoking

A Perfect Position: Because we discovered ways to deal with peer pressure during our own developmental years, it is critical that physical educators help students learn to positively cope with peer pressure. In many ways students look up to us as role models; strong individuals with high levels of self-efficacy and self-confidence. It is these character traits that help us educate on how to deal with peer pressure in positive ways.

Knowledge About Peer Pressure: Identifying the circumstances under which peer pressure is likely to arise in students' lives is important. With typical child development, our students progress through a series of predictable, sequential stages. One element of child development includes transitioning into caring more about peer-oriented opinions and approval than adult-oriented (teacher/guardian/parent) opinions and approval. Typically beginning in grades 5 - 6, and increasingly thoughout junior high and high school, students mostly no longer look to the major adults in their lives to find out 'what is cool.' Peers of similar age become the sources for approval and guidance.

• How can we, as physical educators, empower our students to make choices in their best, long-term interest when they are confronted with peer pressure?
• What are the most effective tools/strategies/discussions we can impart to our students concerning peer pressure?

The Peer Pressure Equation

Be Educators: Continue to provide accurate education on important topics such as alcohol, drugs, crime, etc. If students are continually provided with proper information on these important topics, they will become more equipped to make 'good' decisions when faced with peer pressure. On the other hand, misinformation and/or no information are not effective measures to take when preparing students to deal with pressure from others. In fact, this can lead to inaccurate rumors, misleading internet searches, and/or turning to others who may not have their best interests in mind.

"Let's continue to educate our students - with proper information!"

Be Role Models: As physical educators, we already have a thorough understanding of the importance of role modeling. In addition to role modeling physically active lifestyles and nutritional habits, how about we continue to role model positive lifestyle choices on a more general level too? Well...when we are in the school environment, we can always take full advantage of those 'teaching moments' when we can share how we would deal with peer pressure. Although we may not be there physically to 'step in' for our students during those times they're being pressured to conform, and although our students are generally transitioning into a more peer-oriented phase, they may still think of us and wonder "What would Mrs. C do?" Or… "Would Mr. Y be proud of my choice?"

"Let's continue to understand that we cannot choose when to be role models. We are role models 100% of the time!"

Be a Trusting Listener: For incidents that are more than a one-time occurrence, students may recognize issues that may likely repeat and may choose to seek advice. Students don't always turn to their peers for advice; there are times when they may feel that we can help them better. Therefore, we must be attentive toward our students during these times!

A sure way to lose a student's trust is to judge or scold his/her choices. Our feedback must be caring and empathetic, as their level of trust in us must remain high. Instead of 'coming down' on your student, empathize and let him/her know that you understand. Listen to his/her thoughts and issues, and try to help your student discover possible solutions to dealing with peer pressure. This may not only help solve a current problem; it will help build a solid level of trust!

"Let's continue to maintain a high level of trust for our students when they are sharing 'peer pressure' issues!"

Be Resourceful: There may be times when it may be better for a professional to help our student(s) deal more effectively with specific types of peer pressure. Therefore, continue to be resourceful! Exercise the options of contacting professionals such as nurses, police officers, social workers, occupational therapists, etc. These people may be very useful when helping students learn to cope effectively with specific types of pressures and problems!

"Let's continue to keep close ties to other professionals. Let's be resourceful in helping our students deal with peer pressure!"

Education + Role Modeling + Trust + Resourcefulness = Students Dealing With Peer Pressure Positively!

Conclusion: Peer pressure is not new! It's as old as time. It will not go away as long as there are individuals who want to have a negative influence on others. As a physical educator, you must continue to discover ways to help your students deal with peer pressure positively. You are in a perfect position for this, and have the 'right' skills to help! Whether it's alcohol consumption, drug use, behavior, you name it, you must continue to educate your students on potential pressures from others. Continue being a positive role model! Continue to build your students' trust when they share their problems with you! Continue to be resourceful!

"Let's continue to help our students deal with peer pressure in a positive manner through the use of the Peer Pressure Equation!"

Biographies:

Brent Bradford, a Doctoral (PhD) Candidate at the University of Alberta, has worked as a Physical Education Teacher Educator for the past four years. In 2011, he was selected as the Faculty of Education's Graduate Student Teaching Award recipient. Brent spent 9.5 years teaching and coaching with the Edmonton Catholic School Division in both the elementary and junior high school environment prior to returning to the University. Brent can be reached at bdb3@ualberta.ca.

Ashleigh Evaniew, M.Ed. is currently a school teacher specializing in elementary physical education in Edmonton, Alberta. Her teaching experience ranges from early childhood education to instructing at the post secondary level. In 2012, she received the Faculty of Education’s Graduate Teaching Award from the University of Alberta. She can be contacted at aevaniew@ualberta.ca.

Clive Hickson: A regular pelinks4u contributor. Please read his biography on the pelinks4u 'contributors' page.

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