Going Along with a Group Teens include others in their problem solving. If their peers do something, it makes the behavior seem more okay. Teens are less likely to rely on their own standards and values and may justify decisions by saying, “but everyone is doing it.” One reason why your teen is strongly influenced by friends is because peers have a similar level of power in the world. This “level playing field” allows teens to work out problems together, instead of following the advice of a more powerful individual, like a parent or a teacher. Teens often believe they should be excused for misbehavior if they had not planned to do something wrong. They may say, “We didn’t plan to drink; things just happened.” You can help them with their thinking and planning by asking them open-ended questions starting with how, what, and why . These questions allow kids to develop thinking skills that help them resist in-the- moment emotions (more on that in Chapter 4).
Research shows: Studies have consistently shown that helping others reach their own conclusions about the pros and cons of different alternatives is more effective than telling them what is right and wrong. Your children are no different in that way.
Zero tolerance laws reinforce the 21 minimum drinking age law. They make it illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to drive with a measurable amount of alcohol in their blood (a BAC between .00 to .02, depending on the specific law). Zero tolerance laws can make teens automatically lose their license for underage drinking violations. Avoiding this penalty can motivate young people who value the privilege of driving. ZERO TOLERANCE LAWS Get Behind
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