Many parents are often surprised when their teenager is arrested. They can’t believe the teen would break the law or do something so out of character. A teenager could be arrested for shoplifting or underage drinking, for example, and the parents may be stunned, saying they’ve never seen this type of behavior before.
In some cases, the reason for this sudden change is just peer pressure. Why is it that outside pressure from a teenager’s peer group could cause them to take such a drastic step as breaking the law?
Acceptance and companionship
Often, teenagers are simply trying to find acceptance within the group. They may fear that refusing to go along with the group’s activities, even when they are illegal, will cause them to be marginalized. Wanting acceptance from their peers, they’ll decide to take a risk and violate the law.
A common example of this is if a teenager attends a party where drugs and alcohol are being used. At home, they wouldn’t even consider drinking underage, which is why their parents are so shocked to find out it has happened. But when they’re in that social environment, they don’t want to be the only person who isn’t using drugs or alcohol, so they may go along with this activity—even though they know it’s illegal. They simply hope they don’t get caught, and their desire to be part of the group outweighs their understanding that they should follow the law.
The trouble is that this type of peer pressure can lead to mistakes that cause a teenager to have a permanent record, which can dramatically impact their future on many levels. If your teenager has been arrested and is facing serious charges, it’s very important to focus on their future and consider all of the legal defense options they have.