Adolescent Morality and Peer Influence
Peer Pressure
Parent Talk:
Are you concerned about peer pressure?
Peer pressure appeals to a person’s need to "look up to" someone. Teen idols are a form of hero worship. Research shows that parents are still the strongest influence on adolescents’ big decisions...* Deep down they want you to be their hero. And why not? Give them heroes to look up to. Our survival handbook gives them epic heroes of all ages, worthy of emulation.
Not only that, you can help them discover the epic hero within themselves!
But how do you bridge that communication gap?
The journey of life demands your part—
Courage, faith, and a willing heart.
Day by day, big and little—
Answers await life’s every riddle.
Keep in mind that dinner talk is not an event— it is a process.
Teens may be difficult to talk to because they don’t feel safe in opening their hearts to you. Here are some tips to create a balmy climate for communication.
1. Eat Dinner Together. Home cooked meals communicate that you are available, and that you care.
2. Always Listen. Put relationships first. When a Teen needs to talk, he doesn’t want to wait till it’s convenient. No matter when: be there, drop everything, and listen.
3. Lose the Battle, Win the War. Nothing kills communication like a power struggle.
Let them decide on relatively minor decisions, even if you don’t always agree. If they see you respect their free will, they are more likely to listen to you on issues that really matter. Then small things will take care of themselves in the long run.
Why Do Teens Yield to Peer Pressure?
Teens yield to peer pressure because they have an identity crisis. That is, they don't have a sense of who they are. They don't know that they are spiritual children of their Father in Heaven.
Parents, anchor their souls in faith and in your love. When they are secure in the knowledge that they are deeply loved by both God and their parents, they will be strong. This "shield" of faith and love will protect them from temptations to do things which are unworthy of their divine nature.
"They have become free forever, through the great Mediator of all men, to act for themselves" according to the commandments of God,"and not to be acted upon."
Peer pressure appeals to a person’s need to "look up to" someone. Teen idols are a form of hero worship. Research shows that parents are still the strongest influence on adolescents’ big decisions... Deep down they want you to be their hero. And why not? Give them heroes to look up to. Our survival handbook gives them epic heroes of all ages, worthy of emulation.
Not only that, you can help them discover the epic hero within themselves!
Why Do People Have Temptations and Difficulties in Life?
It's about building Character.
For everyone on earth, young or old, Life is like one big Test, to see how we will respond to all kinds of challenges and circumstances. What choices will we make, and what will we do with the inevitable consequences?
No one ever said it would be easy to endure the daily battles to change our hearts and conquer temptations, but faith assures us that it is decidedly worth it.
Sterling character is not measured in money. At the end of the day, it is not what we get that matters, but what we become.
The first thing we look for on the map is our destination. One prophet said that this life is the time to prepare to meet God. The object, therefore, would be that we emerge from this earthly training session with the capability of standing on holy ground when we arrive there.
Where are you going?
The Wise family followed the compass very carefully. At last, through the darkness, they could see the welcome beam of th lighthouse that was shown on the chart. They made it to a safe harbor at the Promised Land.
In the sense that seeds are planted as we go about our daily works, then every day is spring, and every moment is a gift. We may not harvest fully till at the end of the road, but if along the way we leave no seed unsown, no service unrendered, no wisdom ungathered, and no loved one uncherished, our final reward will be twofold. For we will have found joy in the journey, as well.
Back to Lesson 4 Adolescent Morality and Peer Influence:
Causes of Peer Pressure in Teenagers
