“C’mon. Everyone’s doing it.”

Everyone has heard it.

It is expected that teens will experience peer pressure.

When you were growing up, you were either taught to be a leader or a follower.

Leadership is standing up for what one believes in, and doing what you think is right versus doing what you know is wrong while not falling under peer pressure.

Whereas, a follower simply follows what is wrong when knowing it is wrong, due to the fact of falling under the pressure of wanting to fit in.

Which one you choose to be is up to you.

Data shows that teenagers are prone to being followers.

Statistics show that 23 percent of teenage girls feel pressured into having sex, while only 33 percent of teenage boys ages 15-17 feel pressured into having sex, according to The Complete HIV/AIDS Resource.

In addition, according to the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, 55 percent of teenagers tried drugs for their first time because they felt pressured by their friends.

Finally, the Canadian Lung Association also claims that 70 percent of teenagers who smoke say they started smoking because their friends smoke or they felt peer pressured to try smoking.

It is evident that many teenagers experience peer pressure.

The definition of peer pressure is straightforward, but everyone experiences the effects of peer pressure differently.

Sophomore Thomas Plunkey said peer pressure is a weighty feeling.

“Peer pressure is feeling forced to do something because of the pressure or influence of peers,” he said.

The key words are ‘feeling forced.’ The truth is, everyone has felt peer pressure in their lives, whether it impacted their lives a large amount or hardly at all.

Sophomore Dru Sweers has fallen to peer pressure before but he said it did not change who he is as a person.

“For instance, when one day my friends wanted to go to a party, but I was not in favor of it, I chose to go anyway,” Sweers said.

If one was to see someone being pressured by a peer what would be the initial reaction — make a scene, tell someone, or encourage it?

Plunkey said it is wrong to pressure people.

“When I see people pressure people I don’t think it’s right because I think people should make their own decisions, versus being peer pressured into it,” Plunkey said.

There are many ways to avoid peer pressure.

Here are a few reminders to help people avoid being pressured by their peers.

Value common interests

Hanging out with people who like doing similar stuff may help you avoid a situation where you feel pressured into things you do not want to do.

Remember that being seen hanging out in the cool crowd might not be as much fun as it looks if youare not comfortable with the decisions that crowd is making.

Say no

Having the strength to say no can be hard, but it can also make you feel good to stick with what you believe in.

Explain to people in a calm way why you do not want to be part of something. You just might earn respect from others and gain confidence in yourself.

Try not to judge others

If possible, try not to place judgments on other people’s choices.

Respecting someone else’s choice may help them to respect yours. Remember that you do not have to agree with their actions.

Focusing on the reasons why you do not feel happy with the choice might help you to not judge them.

Take action

Taking action against negative peer pressure can be easier when you are more comfortable in your environment.

Standing up for yourself and others can be a way to gain that comfort.

Both of these are ways in which you might be able to create a positive atmosphere within a group.

Everyone has been faced with contemplating whether to fall under pressure or rise against it.

When faced with the choice to be a leader or a follower, choose to be the leader. Do not become a victim to peer pressure.