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Tag: pressure

  • Family Pressure

    Family Pressure

    Everyone deals with pressure at some point in life, whether it comes from work, school, friends or family. Sometimes, the pressure to get good grades, decide on a career or to get involved in extra activities can be very difficult. How do you manage these pressures, especially from your family? Knowing how to deal with family pressure can help you live a less stressful and more enjoyable life.

    All parents want their children to get good jobs and to be successful in life. They might pressure their children to get involved in clubs, to volunteer on committees, or to take extra courses. Brothers and sisters might also add to the pressure through teasing or trying to compete with you, maybe to impress Mom and Dad.

    Being under pressure can be very stressful, but you can learn how to deal with it. The first thing to try is to talk to your family and work things out. For example, if your parents want you to get better grades and you really feel that it’s too much for you to manage, you can try to let them know that you have tried hard but have been unable to achieve high grades. If you really feel that you have done all that you can, let your family know.

    Sometimes, all that is necessary to relieve stress is to try a new schedule. If you find that you have to rush out the door every morning, for example, you could try setting your alarm clock for fifteen minutes earlier than usual to allow yourself more time. It can also help to relieve pressure if you take a few minutes every day to do something that you enjoy, such as going for a walk or visiting with a friend.

    As you consider ways to deal with pressure, you should also remember the other people around you. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives can all help give support as you try to deal with everything that people expect. They might even help you understand your parents better. If your father always wanted to have a better job, for example, that might help explain why your parents want you to go to university or to try for a high-pressure career. This knowledge can help you explain your point of view to your parents.

    Family pressure will probably never disappear, but you can learn to manage it. That way, you can enjoy both the quiet and busy times of life and still have a good relationship with your family, friends, and teachers.

    Bibliography:

    EHow.com. “How to Deal with Pressure and Stress Problems.”
    http://www.ehow.com/how_5587289_deal-pressure-stress-problems.html.
    Kids Health.org. “Stress.” http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/emotions/stress.html.
    Morrissey, Beth. “How to Deal with Pressure From Parents.” http://www.teenissues.co.uk/HowToDealWithPressureFromParents.html.
    People Skills Decoded.com. “How to Rise Above Family Pressure and Live the Life You Want.” http://www.peopleskillsdecoded.com/how-to-rise-above-family-pressure-and-live-the-life-you-want/.

  • Cultural Pressures

    Cultural Pressures

    From birth, North Americans are subjected to a lot of advertisements and messages that teach our cultural values and tell us what our dreams should be. Whether you are female or male, you will experience pressure throughout your lifetime to behave and make choices that are strongly influenced by cultural values. Girls experience a lot of pressure from the media to be thin, have a perfectly proportioned body, have perfect skin, have thick hair and to generally conform to our cultural ideals of beauty. Boys equally feel this pressure to fit into a predetermined shape of what it is to be a man, including pressure to maintain fitness and muscular tone throughout each stage of life, to have thick hair, to be tanned and to be the embodiment of strength.

    This conditioning is extremely harmful to people who do not or cannot fit the “ideal” shape of cultural beauty. The way a person develops can be made or broken by how one feels they measure up to society’s expectations and the cultural standards for beauty. Unconsciously and consciously, there is a need to fit in. This pressure is especially felt when we are young. Going through changes during adolescence involves growth both physically and mentally. There are so many pressures growing up that we face, including excelling in school and sports, that adding the pressure to fit in with the North American ideals of beauty can be exhausting.

    As you become a young adult, you will notice that you will develop a sense of self and hopefully a sense of purpose. It is important to remember that there is no one else like you on Earth. Celebrate the fact that you are unique and embrace who you are. If you are having trouble with self-esteem, reach out and talk to a friend, parent or even use a resource like Kids Help Phone. Being yourself is the best option!