Who are they hang out with? Understanding adolescent peer relationship

By Sara Walden
EDI 17 Psychology and Development of Adolescent Students

School of Education
Long Island University, C. W. Post
February 26, 2010
 

What should parents/teachers be cautious about in terms of adolescent peer relationship? When it comes to adolescent peer relationships I think teachers and parents should be cautious with the groups of friends an adolescent associate themselves with.  Depending on the group of friends an adolescent makes can cause a big difference in the path they decide to take in life.  There are always going to be a good group of friends who will support you and led you in the right path.  Whereas, another group of friends will try to bring you down with them and led you onto the wrong path.  

 

For example, an adolescent can become friends with fellow peers that make time to hang out together, but do their homework, and go to school.  From this positive peer relationship this student may go on to college and get a good career because they worked hard in high school and had peers that supported them.   

 

On the other hand an adolescent can become friends with fellow peers that cut class, don’t do their homework or do drugs.  From this negative peer relationship this student may drop out of high school and work at some local store because they didn’t work hard in school and had peers that brought them down.