I am not certain that there is one specific path, but rather multiple elements that have to be combined in an approach to ensure that kids understand the consequences and realities of chocies being made. The consensus seems to be that the opening of consistent and transparent dialogue between parent and child is essential and vital in resisting the temptation to succumb to peer pressure. Different approaches are present on how this dialogue should be formed, but the opinion is that in some form, all parents need to have these dialogues with their child, keeping their fingers on the child's social and emotional pulse to ensure that the message is being absorbed. Social psychologists seem to agree that role playing potential situations and giving kids a "mental rolodex" of rebuttal answers to what to do when confronted in a peer pressure situation for drugs, sex, or other types of destructive behavior is a part of this approach. Ensuring that parents encourage social interactions of their kids, but help in guiding these is another part of this process. Finally, involvement in multiple activities as an outlet from the pressurized world of social conformity might be one other avenue that parents and children need to investigate.
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