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The 40 Developmental Assets: Asset 15: Positive Peer Influence
Posted:
June 26, 2025
The power to be positive (especially as we head into summer!)
Too often, people jam the words
peer
and
pressure
together and think of it as a bad thing. Truth is, that’s only part of the story. Sure, peers have power. But this pressure is only negative when young people feel they’re pushed to do something they know is too risky. Peers can also help young people become more independent by encouraging and supporting healthy choices. Peers can invite one another to join teams or clubs, help with homework, or simply listen. You can help young people choose the kind of peer power they want in their lives and what kind of friends
they
want to be. If young people
and
their peers are responsible, positive, and supportive, they are more likely to succeed.
Positive Peer Influence
is Asset 15 of Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets, the qualities, experiences, and relationships that help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.
Here are the facts:
Research shows that young people whose closest friends behave responsibly do better in school, get into less trouble, and choose activities that give them the best chance of future success. It makes sense for young people to surround themselves with people who bring out their best qualities. In return, they can multiply the benefits by being friends who are also positive influences. About 72 percent of young people, ages 11–18, say their best friends model responsible behavior, according to Search Institute surveys.
Tips for building this asset:
When you notice trouble brewing or young people who are about to make a poor choice—remind them that they have the power to say no—even to a peer or a friend.
In your home and family:
Identify people, stories or images that exemplify the positive power of peers. Use these examples to help your child make a collage of inspiring quotes and images for a friend. With today’s technology, kids can be very creative.
In your school, neighborhood and community:
Talk with young people in your neighborhood about the qualities you admire in each of them. Encourage them to be a positive influence in the lives of their friends and peers.
Want to know more about the 40 Developmental Assets and ideas for helping young people build them? Visit
https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub/developmental-assets-framework
.
-------------------------
2017 Developmental Assets
®
are positive factors within young people, families, communities, schools, and other settings that research has found to be important in promoting the healthy development of young people.