Peer pressure is when "friends" persuade you to do something that you do not want to do. But maybe you want to do it, and you just don't have the courage to do it and your friends talk you into it. You may also feel "silent peer pressure"� to try drinking. That's when nobody is actually offering you alcohol or encouraging you to try it, but you see other people drinking and feel tempted. This kind of pressure is just as real, but harder to recognize. Many teenagers think that to have a good time, you need alcohol. It takes one person to make alcohol sound fun. Many teens drink alcohol not because they like it, but they feel the need to fit in. Adolescents' status within the group affects how they will respond to peer pressure. If one person has a lesser value to the group, their continued membership and acceptance seem less secure than that of more important members. These members of lesser value give into peer pressure more readily. Peer pressure is not always a bad thing. It can be powerful in shaping positive behaviors in kids. Six Ways to Say 'No!' 1. No thanks. 2. I don't feel like it, do you have any soda? 3. Alcohol's NOT my thing. 4. Are you talking to me? FORGET it. 5. Why do you keep pressuring me when I've said NO? 6. Back off!

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