Peer pressure is a commonly heard phrase in the life of a teen; teachers warn against it, parents plead with you to rise above it, and other teenagers may complain about it. Until you encounter it, it may just sound like a frightening buzz word that adults use to scare you. Many teenagers have unfortunately discovered that peer pressure is a very real and potentially dangerous influence that they are sometimes not equipped to deal with.

The people most affected by peer pressure are teens, who are still trying to figure out who they are, where they want to go, and with whom they wish to be associated. Not every instance will be a life or death situation, but it is important to realize that there are always a variety of avenues a teenager can take to avoid peer pressure. You can always be an individual, you just need to find a way to do that without sacrificing your beliefs or angering your friends in the process.

Imagine this scenario: You and a group of friends are driving to an awesome concert and everyone is enjoying themselves. Suddenly, someone suggests taking the ‘party’ to the next level and pulls out a bottle of alcohol pilfered from Dad’s liquor cabinet. You do not want to drink, but everyone else is looking at you expectantly. How do you respond?

It is easy to become anxious in these situations, but it can also be just as easy to stand up for your beliefs without offending your friends. That is the origin of most anxiety associated with peer pressure; how do you tell a group of peers that you aren’t interested without sounding accusatory?

Though you might like to keep harmony with your friends, sometimes it is necessary to step out of you comfort zone and speak your mind. It will take courage, and your opinions might not always be met with friendly reactions, but more often than not, your friends will respect you for standing by your beliefs. This may also help you avoid future situations as well.

Do not put the person who is suggesting the deviant activity on the spot; the reaction will likely be hostile and cause more conflict. Instead, calmly and simply state “I don’t want to drink.” Avoid saying something like “No, thanks, man. I don’t want to end up like you.” This will only stir up unnecessary drama. By keeping the subject on the activity and not the person suggesting it, you may get through to your friends and give them an opportunity to back out of the activity. Also, don’t discount the power of a lighthearted joke; keeping things in a humorous light can also get your point across without laying blame.

What if you aren’t comfortable saying ‘no’? Try ignoring the suggestion. Tell your friends you have plans that you can’t break, or pretend that you didn’t hear the suggestion. Turn up the radio, concentrate on your homework or on what someone else is saying, and don’t acknowledge what was said. Your friend may take the hint and the whole idea may be dropped.

You can also blame your parents. This is one time when your parents’ rules actually come in handy. Because every teen knows what it feels like to disappoint their parents with their behavior, saying something like, “No way! If my parents found out, I’d be grounded for the whole summer!” will bring the consequences of the situation to light, and possibly dissuade the situation altogether.

Most importantly, remember that if you are wary of something, chances are, many of your friends are too. If you consistently stand up for your beliefs, your friends will remember that and respect you for it.

You don’t have to be a slave to peer pressure. Be known for being an individual who sticks by what is right rather than a person who always goes with the flow. You may find that others will follow your lead!