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Making the "A" List
How Popularity Pressures
Your Teen
Your Teen
By Gina Roberts-Grey, LCSW
Giving a child who feels he or she doesn't fit in the chance to positively impact a situation helps their confidence soar. They'll be more likely to stand up for themselves at school or sports practice. Teachers like Maurin have seen that children who exude high self-esteem and confidence in their decision to not give into pressure often become "founding fathers" of their own social group.
The opportunity to gain support from extended family members and friends also boosts his esteem and resilience to pressure. Having the option to shoot hoops with an older brother and his friends from college gives your teen an appealing "out" to participating in a drinking contest all in the name of fitting in.
Encourage him to pursue hobbies, sports interests or creative outlets where he'll meet peers with similar interests. Sometimes the chance to spend time talking with a buddy about the round of weekend football games or attending dance class with a friend helps teens find their way through the pressure.
If you take a frightening trip back in time to your days in junior high and high school, you'll remember how vital it felt to belong to a group – whichever group that happened to be. Those insecurities and social anxieties are what teens and tweens still experience today, and recognizing that will help you help your child cope with the pressure to be popular.
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