Dr. Bob Laurent did a study that examined the role negative
peer pressure plays in alienating adolescents from the church. Using statements
designed to measure the influence of negative peer pressure, he asked Christian
teenagers to respond. The following are the results of his survey listed with
the average response.
“I am more likely to act like a Christian when I’m with my
Christian friends and to act like a non-Christian when I’m with my
non-Christian friends.” Agree
“I get upset when my non-Christian friends leave me out of
their activates.” Agree
“I’d rather be with my friends than with my family.” Agree
“I try to keep up with the latest fads.” Strongly
Agree
“My non-Christian friends’ opinions are important to me.” Strongly
Agree
“If I need advice, I’d ask my friends before I asked my
parents.” Agree
“It bothers me when my non-Christian friends think I’m too
religious.” Agree
Peer pressure is a very real thing and something people of
all ages deal with! Kids are faced with this reality everyday; their friends
will have an impact on them in a negative way or a positive way.
The reality is kids are wanting to spend more time with
friends then family, and when needing advice the first person they most often
go to is a friend. My old youth pastor used to tell me “show me your friends
and I will show you your future.” Once I got past the cheesiness of the
statement I began to realize how true it really was.
Friends have a massive impact on student’s lives and when
their influence is not healthy, their actions and way of life could be
negatively affected.
John Zick - Youth Culture Specialist
NCN Student Ministries Office
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