Approximately 90 percent of teens reported having experienced peer pressure, which is commonly defined as any external force of influence on our decisions that might have an effect on their physical or mental health.

Most parents place high expectations on their kids, and expect them to reach those expectations one way or another. When the child fails to reach it, they are most likely to be punished, humiliated or even embarrassed by the people who are supposed to be there for them.  

Many teenagers struggle with their mental health. Because of this, parents push this idea of, “you’re a kid, you don’t have any problems in your life.” But what they fail to realize is that everyone has feelings, and the things parent say and do can take a toll on a child’s mental health and completely crush their self esteem.  Something that takes years upon years  to build. How do parents expect the seed of faith and confidence that they planted in their children to keep growing if they refuse to water it and watch it bloom?

Mr. Malmstrom, a teacher at WMS, feels that parents and other adults, need to provide teenagers with the opportunities to build their confidence.  

Mr.Godkin, a teacher at WMS, expressed strong emotions on this topic. He believes that teenagers tend to take some things seriously, saying that this can also cause low self esteem and self-worth

Overall, children of all ages deserve a place where they are able  to express themselves and flourish, where they won’t feel judged or isolates, where they feel accepted and included

“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.