Morality: Peer Pressure and Conscience

Peer pressure is the pressure to go along with the beliefs and actions of others.

• It can occur at any age.

• It will affect the way you look at life

The 3 kinds of peer pressure:

• Neutral

  • Little lasting consequence — maybe a fashion statement

• Positive

  • Worthwhile and helpful

• Negative

  • Pushes you to do what you know is wrong; you go against your conscience to do what other people are doing

The virtues can help you overcome peer pressure.

• Fortitude is both passive and active

  • It can help against negative peer pressure

  • Martyrdom = the ultimate act of fortitude

Spiritual disciplines help us grow in fortitude

• Self-denial

• Prayer

• Service

• Living in fortitude is impossible on your own

  • You need the grace of Christ

Other strategies for resisting peer pressure:

• Know you standards

• Learn effective ways to say no

• Stay away from situations that might tempt you

• Remember the power of prayer

Offering up:

• A spiritual practice

  • Offering up daily suffering

• Grow in fortitude

• Help others, including souls in purgatory

  • Communion of the Saints