A–Z Glossary

Peer pressure

Peer pressure is social influence from other children or teens that can push a child to act against their better judgment.

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Peer pressure in children explained

Peer pressure in children explained

What peer pressure means in childhood Peer pressure is any influence children feel from classmates, friends, teammates, or other children in their social circle. It may be direct, such as a child saying, “Do this or you cannot play with us.” It may also be indirect, such as noticing that everyone else is laughing, wearing […]

How peer influence affects children

How peer influence affects children

What peer influence means in childhood Peer influence is the process by which children are shaped by what other children think, say, and do. It includes direct pressure, but it also includes subtler forces such as imitation, social comparison, and the desire to fit in. A child may copy a classmate’s joke, dress style, opinion, […]

Positive vs negative peer influence

Positive vs negative peer influence

What peer influence means Peer influence is the way children change their thoughts, emotions, or behavior in response to classmates, teammates, friends, or online groups. It can happen directly, such as when a friend says, “Let’s do this,” or indirectly, when a child notices what their group praises, ignores, or punishes. Much of it is […]

Helping children handle a friend who always wants to be in charge

Helping children handle a friend who always wants to be in charge

Why a friendship can feel hard when one child is always in charge Children are still learning reciprocity, negotiation, and emotional regulation, so it is common for friendships to include some unevenness. One child may be naturally more verbal, more decisive, or quicker to organize play. The problem arises when the pattern becomes rigid: the […]

Cliques in childhood and how parents can support healthy choices

Cliques in childhood and how parents can support healthy choices

Why cliques can feel so intense in childhood Clique behavior often reflects normal developmental needs: children want belonging, identity, and status. In elementary and middle school years, social groups may become more organized, with unspoken rules about appearance, interests, or who is allowed into the group. For a child, this can feel all-consuming because peer […]

Academic and social pressure children

Academic and social pressure children

What academic and social pressure mean for children Academic pressure refers to perceived demands to achieve particular grades, complete extensive work, gain admission to selective programs, or avoid failure. It may arise from school workload, testing systems, parental expectations, competition with classmates, or a child’s own perfectionistic standards. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health has […]