Are you easily influenced by peer pressure?

[Sherlock77]

I have always been proud to say that I escaped my teen years without any of the negative habits... Things like smoking, drinking and drugs

As I've analyzed that, one big factor I've looked at is my upbringing in a Christian home where none of that happened (not to get religious here), another one is that my small group of peers in high school didn't do any of those things... And as I got into my early 20's, I just still had that strong grounding

Yet, some people even from backgrounds like mine have struggled with negative peer pressure, I know some of those people...

Way back then I didn't know anything about Asperger's, but now knowing more about myself, I'm certain being an Aspie was a big part of not picking up those habits along with other factors in my life that I mentioned above...

Many people I've talked to say that I really didn't miss much, that I'm better off for never doing them, and to this day as an adult in my 40's I still don't smoke, I choose not to drink, and I choose not to do drugs, and have never tried them...

 

[Gracey]

Perhaps at around 12 or 13 years of age.

Not wholly influenced by peer pressure, more curiosity. If I paid attention to those around me at school, observed, listened there were many other different ways of being, things to believe in, attitudes, morals, opinions.

To stay in a particular group and satisfy curiosity I had to mimic some of the behaviour and opinions of the group. I can only liken it to going 'undercover'

By age 15 we had moved to different area. I helped with the family business rather than socialising.

Age 16 I had my first job working with dogs. (Happy days - possibly the most pleasant peers to be surrounded by.

Age 17 I joined the Army. Rigid routines, strong like minded beliefs, all working toward the same goals. Peer pressure may have been in the form of 'orders' that were followed.

After leaving the services, absolutely not. No influence by peer pressure. I didn't feel a need to fit in anywhere or mimic for acceptance.

 

[Progster]

Or because I convince myself that maybe ther *is* something I might get out of it, so curiosity.

I often get curious, too, and I might be persuaded to try something if I think it's a good idea, but ONLY if it's a good idea, after I have thought about it and weighed up the pros and cons. I think that people often succumb to peer pressure through being impulsive, and I'm not very impulsive.

Very interesting question, and reading the other answers in the thread, it seems the majority of us do not feel the pressure of peer groups. I have worked in UK secondary schools (High schools) for nearly ten years, and see the incredible effects of peer pressure (especially through social media) every day. But this is a social construct, and perhaps this is why it only seems to affect Aspies tangentially... I never understood the importance of social hierarchies and rituals at school, and may have followed along sporadically 'to fit in' but I can't have been very convincing and probably gave up quickly. I think to be as affected by peer pressure as most NT people are, you have to be more socially invested. Although I felt isolated and desperately sad at school, having witnessed what some kids suffer due to peer pressure, I sometimes feel like I dodged a bullet.

I agree - the answers were interesting, though not surprising. People on the spectrum are indeed less easily influenced by peer pressure, though I think that nobody can claim to be entirely immune to it - unless we can cut ourselves off entirely from society, we are all influenced to some degree or on some level by those around us. It is certainly true that one has to be socially invested to be influenced by peer pressure, and we are less socially invested. The social media have a way of intensifying all that is good, and all that is bad in society.

It would not occur to me to give karma to a post unless I found it utterly fascinating

I am also selective about what karma I give and where, but if I like a post, I generally give some sort of karma. On my threads, I tend to give nearly all the posts karma, because I appreciate the feedback I get to my questions and I appreciate the time and effort.

 

[Progster]

to this day as an adult in my 40's I still don't smoke, I choose not to drink, and I choose not to do drugs, and have never tried them...

I drink, but don't smoke and never tried drugs (except caffeine and the ones my doctor prescribes). The drinking is mainly due to my family - my parents liked trying various wines and always had wine with their meal at the weekend and as soon as I was old enough I was given wine too, but I always saw that as a drink to go with the meal, I didn't feel the need to go and get blind drunk like some of my classmates did.

 

[ksheehan88]

When I was young and desperately wanted friends, yeah definitely. Now, not at all.

 

[Mathalamus]

it depends on which of my peers is pressuring me. for some, id be more forgiving. for others, im a brick wall.

since i have a very scarce amount of energy most of the time, its usually cheaper to just go with it, if i can see the benefit. i regard that as manipulation, and i will let them know that, but since i cant fight people every time someone manipulates me, i just generally allow the good ones in.

there's always a chance i could go hardline, and refuse to bend to any kind of peer pressure, regardless of anything.

 

[Mr Allen]

Despite pressure in my teenage years, I have never smoked and never will.

Way back in the late 70's/early 80's, they used to sell little Candy sticks in packets that looked like Cigarettes, as I recall they were outlawed a few years later because they allegedly encouraged smoking.

 

[Progster]

Despite pressure in my teenage years, I have never smoked and never will.

Way back in the late 70's/early 80's, they used to sell little Candy sticks in packets that looked like Cigarettes, as I recall they were outlawed a few years later because they allegedly encouraged smoking.

I remember those.

 

[abby normal]

no peers, hence no peer pressure. one of the benefits of being a hermit.