Social pressures today are higher than ever before. We might even find ourselves sinking into them. We decipher them as pressures because, at times, these social experiences make us feel uncomfortable, intimidated or make us think less of ourselves. However, there is nothing to worry about, because we are not alone in this. Being pressured socially is very common and undoubtedly, there are many ways not to succumb to such pressures to ensure that you are not negatively affected by any means.
Some of the most common social pressures are:
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Following other people and wanting them to follow you
Indulging in activities that can affect your social and mental health
Using drugs or alcohol
Needing a certain type of shoes or clothing
Shoplifting or stealing
Engaging in sexual activity
Engaging in bullying or cyberbullying
Taking dangerous risks and driving rashly to make yourself look somewhat “cool” in the eyes of the world
Projecting a misleading or false image on social media
Here are the strategies that can help us handle societal pressures:
Choose your friends wisely
The people you are around are who you become, even if you do not want to. Being surrounded by negative people can harm your mental state of mind, therefore, keeping your distance is utterly important. If your friends tell you to do something that you know is wrong, then you must have the courage to say “NO”. Give an excuse. It should be ok to say “no” without needing to apologize or giving an explanation, have the upper hand in such circumstances.
Stand against what you feel is wrong
Although many people may experience bullying in their lifetime, it isn't something that should be accepted as a fact of life. Moreover, it cannot be ignored at all. Gather the audacity to stand against it, no matter if it’s happening with you or someone else.
Talk to someone you trust
If you have any issues or want to get something off your mind, talk to someone you really trust to give you suitable advice about the situation. Get support from a trusted adult such as a parent, teacher, or school counsellor. A trusted adult can listen to you and help you with strategies that might work in your situation.
Let the person know how you feel
It is very important to talk to the person who is pressuring you. Let him or her know how it makes you feel and tell the person to stop. Let him or her know that you feel targeted by their actions.
Plan ahead
Think about how you will respond in different situations. Plan what you can say or do. Have a secret code to communicate with parents and friends. Something you can say or text to your parent(s)/ friends to let them know you need help in a situation. Parents can then call or text to say that you need to come home urgently, or that they need to pick you up. Remember to be confident and sound natural.
Be who you are
Identify yourself and know that you are unique. You should not feel the need to fit in or be accepted because at the end of the day you will be known for the person you are. Avoid displaying a false image of yourself when you meet someone. You must hold on to and appreciate the person you are.
All things considered, these are a few great ways to deal with social pressures. Feeling pressured on a regular basis can be common and there is nothing wrong about it. Just be who you are and embrace it because you are a unique individual.
Chandsi is a grade 12 student attending North Delta Secondary in Delta, British Columbia. Her favourite subjects are Business and English. Her interests include writing poetry, reading and writing blogs. In future, she sees herself as a successful business person.
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