4th and Goal Commentary - May 16, 2001
Combating Negative Peer Influence
By Bill McCartney
Did you know that middle school-ers are nine times more likely to smoke
and five times more likely to drink if they have two or more friends who
smoke and drink?
I'm Bill McCartney... It's 4TH and Goal!
I recently came across two studies that drew the same conclusion: our
children are greatly influenced by their peers when it comes to substance
abuse.
The first study found that elementary-aged kids start out with negative
attitudes towards smoking, alcohol and illegal drugs. But, they take
a dramatic turn when they hit the middle school years. Our girls
are especially vulnerable to peer pressure to start smoking cigarettes,
drinking alcohol, and using illegal drugs.
The second study found a direct link between early teenage drinking
and adult alcoholism. The result? Depression and increasing substance
abuse were also more common among teenage drinkers.
And, what did the researchers say was the key to preventing our teenagers
from caving into peer pressure? Parental involvement. Both
teams of researchers pointed to several ways that we can point our kids
in the right direction.
1. Being involved in their lives, knowing what our kids do, and
who their friends are.
2. Having high expectations for our kids. Our children will
rise to our expectations knowing that certain behaviors would disappoint
us.
3. Holding our children in high regard, listening to them and
respecting their opinions.
Bruce Simons, one of the researchers, puts it succinctly: "Teens who
reported that their parents were highly involved in their lives were about
half as likely to smoke or drink as young people who felt their parents
were not very involved."
Dads, let's make sure that we're involved in our children's lives -
and, intimately so. Let's not only talk with them, but let's listen
too! Let's let them know that we value what they think. And,
let's not underestimate them! Our kids may surprise us by not only
meeting our expectations, but exceeding them. And, with our involvement,
they can avoid the trap of teenage substance abuse.
I'm Coach Bill McCartney.
Source Material: "Study: Peers Sway a Child's Interest in Smoking,
Drinking as Early as 6th Grade," CNN, January 23, 2001. "Teen Drinking
a Sign of Problems to Come," Reuters, January 23, 2001.
"The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote
instruction." -- Proverbs 16:21.
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