Friends and Peer Pressure in School
Starting secondary school can be exciting, but it can also bring new challenges. One of the biggest is friendships and peer pressure. Friends can have a strong influence on the choices we make, from the activities we take part in to the way we behave around others.
Peer influence happens when we change what we do because we want to feel accepted and valued by our friends. This influence isn’t always negative. Friends can encourage us to try new activities, become more confident and get involved in school. However, peer pressure can sometimes lead young people to do things they wouldn’t normally choose. (Breathe link)
Friendships become particularly important during adolescence. Secondary school students may take more risks because they want approval or validation from their peers. (Breathe link)
The key is learning how to recognise when friendship becomes unhealthy pressure. A good friend should respect your choices and make you feel comfortable being yourself. It’s okay to say no, even if everyone else is saying yes. Talking to a trusted friend, teacher, parent, or another adult can also help when peer pressure becomes difficult. Developing healthy relationships and learning to deal with social challenges are important skills during the transition into secondary school. (Mindfulness in Schools Project)
Useful Breathe resources:
- Peer Pressure & Peer Influence – Breathe Education
- Worry and Anxiety – Breathe Education
- .breathe curriculum – Mindfulness in Schools Project (Kent)
Ultimately, real friendship shouldn’t require you to change who you are. The best friends are people who support your choices, respect your boundaries and help you feel like you belong.
