Viatouch Teacher Articles
Psychology

One Good Apple: Fostering Positive Peer Pressure in Teenagers

by Geary L. Smith

There's a very old saying that "one bad apple spoils the whole bunch." The reverse of that statement must also hold true, because if one bad apple can have that much influence, then one good apple can preserve or save the entire bunch.

The peers with which you associate can have a negative or a positive impact on your life. I was a boy scout and an eagle scout, as were many of my friends. Through the scouts I learned to make moral and ethical choices. As a teenager, I looked up to the captains of the football and track teams. They were my heroes and I wanted to be like them. Natural born leaders inspire others to follow their example. They have a tremendous impact on other teens, especially when it comes to making appropriate decisions.

On the other hand in the juvenile justice system, positive role models are seldom seen. The older peers are considered "trouble makers". Their negative behavior spreads like wildfire to the younger boys. Hence, the older boys become negative role models for these younger boys. As a result the youngsters adopt antisocial behaviors, which did not exist previously. I wish the younger boys had been given the warning my mother had given me. "Don't hang around those boys. They will get you into a lot of trouble." My mother's words were true then and still ring loud and clear in my mind some thirty-five years later.

We can teach children to be positive role models for others by encouraging them to say no to drugs, smoking, or other antisocial behaviors. I use a lot of role playing at home with my own two daughters, Jessica and Somer. I get their reactions and opinions in a variety of situations.

"What would you do if one of your friends offered you to try drugs? What would you do if you had the chance to cheat on a test? Would you lie for a friend in trouble?"

I make each incident as real as possible, full of emotion and feeling. I show them the consequences of making a bad choice versus the consequences of making a good choice. I try to use daily chances and encounters to explain and to answer their questions and concerns. And, I encourage regular church services and bible study to give them a "spiritual compass" of what is right and wrong and to develop their self respect for others.

We need to show children and students how to be a positive influence---how they can be the one good apple. The rewards are tremendous. Our children will gain a sense of accomplishment and will develop long lasting behaviors, habits, and skills that are necessary to be successful in life.

Married to Tonnette, Geary L. Smith has two daughters, Jessica and Somer. Mr. Smith has a B.S in psychology from Morehouse, M.Ed. Stephen F. Austin and is currently working as counselor/administrator in a juvenile center.

Top of Page