Who influences teens?

hey guys so im doing a report on teen drinking and their use of drugs and need to know from the publics point of view who infuences teen drinking and drug use, and when does it become more than just teens having fun?

Who influences teens?
Peers, but it also has to do with their surroundings, their parental influence and morals. The values that they've been taught. Television and movies, have a lot to do with things now. Actors and Actresses are unfortunately role models for children and they aren't always the one's that should be role models-same can be said about sports stars as well. But in all reality it has to do with how the children were raised and what they were taught to value in life. I also think if they grow up knowing and seeing alcohol and drugs in use that can have either a positive or negative effect on them.
Reply:The most important people for teens is their own group of friends, because acceptation of equals is one of their primary psychological needs in this age. So they do what they have to do for been accepted in a group and be part of something. Of course the family ambient is very important too, is not the same thing a teen with an alcoholic or drug addict parent that one who doesn´t have this situation, but most influences came from the group. The limits between fun or something else are very difficult to identified and that's why there are so much teens with addictions problems because they always think they can quit when they want until they realized they actually can´t.
Reply:I think both parents and peers influence teen drug use and drinking to varying degrees, depending on the individual.





Style of use can come from the family, however I think the degree to which a child adopts the family's style, depends on the relationship between them.





If someone comes from a family of substances abusers, the behaviour *can* become normalized in the eyes of a child. Conversely, in a family of moderate users, you're likely to pick up a more responsible style of use.





HOWEVER, I think family influence is dependent upon the degree to which that a teen feels connected to their family. If a teen feels alienated from the family, they're more likely to rely on their peers (or society as a whole) to form norms of drug/alcohol use. So, if a teen who comes from a family who uses substances in a moderate, sensible fashion, feels particularly alienated from them, they may look to their peers. If said peers, are a little crazy with that stuff, then they're likely to adopt their habits over those of their family.





Likewise, I think if a child comes from a family of alcoholics, with whom they have a poor relationship, but they have exposure to kids who don't abuse substances, then there's a good chance they'll learn more moderate approaches by observation.
Reply:Their peers. I would know. I was one of the teens that got involved with drugs in high school because my friends were doing it. I started out with pot and tried doing it alone. I didn't even know how to inhale because I had never smoked a cigarette, but I soon discovered once they showed me. I wish that part of my life never happened. It sucked big time.
Reply:the retards at mtv and the pathetic version of pop culture today. breeding a bunch of retards i tell ya. this video kinda shows what i am talking about. the whole movie would get you thinking





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upyewL0oa...
Reply:peers, parents, other family members (brother sister...) media, music,





it becomes more at the addiction level. when the drugs and drinking controls the teen.
Reply:I find teens are influenced by people 5-10 years older than themselves. Their parents, and their extended family, their peers, and their closest friends.
Reply:My use of alcohol and drugs began when I felt like it. Nobody influenced me or forced me. It's more than just fun when people use it to cover their problems

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