PEER INFLUENCE

Shoes

Please stand up Lets look at our shoes; What observation can

you make? Do they look equal,

same? Now: is it possible to

reverse them, putting the left foot in the right one?

Definition of peer

It is the same thing for people

They can be very similar, not only physically but sharing common characteristics

When it happen with people, we call them peers.

That is, two persons sharing common characteristics?

Particularities of peer influence

To influence each other, peers will need to share common maximum characteristics

Some common characteristics

Peer

Sex

Age

ProfessionReligion

Language Socio- economic status

Live in the same quaterHave same hobby

Influence

The more the characteristics are common, the stronger is the influence

That is why some peers can consider themselves to be best friends or confidents (because they share a lot of common characteristics)

For example: who is your confident? Why have you chosen the person as confident?

Why is an adolescent attracted by others

Because of : The desire to conform (be like them) Pressure made by peers (if not, we are no longer friends)

Mode of acquiring knowledge (they teach what you don’t know but their teaching may be wrong)

Mode of acquiring behaviour (do like them, do what they do)

A peer is like an example to an adolescent

Type of influences

Positive

Negative

Positive influence of peers

Peers as educational models– Sharing of information– Similar problems– Facility to confide to the peer– Age mate relationship

Peer as reference– The feeling of being understood and accepted– Confidential relationship– Model of identification – Construction of a personal identity

Negative influence of Peers

The desire of conformity Adoption of similar behaviour:

- Same dressing attitudes- Same conviction

Could be excluded from the group- Accommodation - Incapable of affirming

Pressure from peers- The desire of imposing- Blackmailing implied- The fear of dislocation

Why would an adolescent easily be influenced?

Because he/she is facing difficulties or problems either in his

Family or

Social environment

Types of difficulties in the family environment?

Marital conflicts Physical or moral

abuse Alcoholism Parents being

indifferent Lack of maturity of

mothers (e.g. Teen mother)

Difficulty or lack of communication

Lack of understanding Lack of affection Negligence by parents Rejection or

abandonment Excessive or relenting

control by parents ‘Tolerated Prostitution’

of adolescent

Types of difficulties in the social environment

Bad company

Dangerous environment Promiscuity Pollution (dirty, noise) Tendency to tell lie Giving value to bad behavior (feymania) Considering stealing as normal Taking corruption as natural

How to help an adolescent resist peer influences?

Be yourself a role model

Teach acceptance and self respect

Put to value the capacity of adolescents

How to help an adolescent in difficulty?

Show him your availability to listen to him actively Recognise the legitimacy of her/his preoccupations Avoid judging him Do not minimise their difficulties Favour autonomy while respecting their limits and the

capacities of adolescents Give them good information Help them in evaluating their situation

Thank you for your attention