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Youths often cite peer pressure as an excuse for their actions when they are caught or convicted of making poor choices. However, when youths choose to make healthy decisions, can't this be blamed on peer pressure as well?

Peer pressure can encourage youth to be successful by achieving good grades and not engaging in a high-risk lifestyle. The same concepts and principles observed during negative peer pressure also apply to positive peer pressure, but the consequences are constructive. Youths have the option to absorb healthy behaviors and attitudes from their peers instead of choosing to follow negative extremes.

Often when a child, teen or even adult experiments with an act for the first time and uses the excuse "Everyone is doing it," he has succumbed to peer pressure. The outcomes of positive peer pressure are life-enhancing.

For youths, the results of "Everyone is doing it" in positive peer pressure can lead to changes in their futures because they have expanded their perspective. Many results include:

n Participating in sports and clubs

n Making healthy decisions

n Achieving good grades

n Being honest, respectful and responsible

n Volunteering in the community

n Learning leadership skills

Developing positive peer pressure begins with relationships. Peers traditionally build friendships with those with whom they have the most in common. They utilize their similar work ethic, hobbies and interests to create mutual bonds on which they can base their friendship.

To ensure positive peer-based leadership pressure is at work, teens need to examine their friendships, then evaluate the influence in their lives. Each student must charge himself with the responsibility of making the decision as to whether he will be a positive or negative influence on others.