Pressure from a Peer’s Parent

Symony G., Georgia, USA

When I was 16, one of my best friends had a small birthday celebration in her basement with a few close friends. After a while my friend’s mom came down with a bottle of champagne. She filled the glasses and gave each of my friends a glass.

“No, thank you. I don’t drink,” I said when she came to me.

I thought that would be the end of it.

I had always prepared myself for “peer” pressure, and I thought that as an adult, her mom would understand. I was wrong. She was very persistent that I join in with the toast.

I was stunned. I didn’t know what to say. I thought I had been clear. I just stood there confused. I hadn’t planned on pressure from a parent. There was a moment of silence that seemed to go on forever but was only a few seconds. And then my friends literally encircled me and stepped in front of me and told my friend’s mom that I don’t drink.

Because I had never been shy about my standards, my friends knew my standards. None of my friends are Church members, but they all come from good families. They are good friends who help me keep my standards even when I’m in tough situations.