Topic 8.5
Dealing With Peer Pressure

Middle school can be a difficult time. Starting at a new school, making new friends, and dealing with changes in your body all put a lot of stress on you. It's natural to want to fit in with other students, but you can invite more stress—and serious problems—if you engage in risky behaviors to fit in. When you feel pressured from other students and friends to do something that you don’t feel comfortable doing, you need to have some skills that can help you get out of that situation.

Just saying no is a basic and effective strategy, but it's not always easy to do in the heat of the moment. Dealing with peer pressure takes effective communication skills and strength of character.

The next few years of your life will give you plenty of practice. Are you up to the challenge?