ABSTRACT
As we have said many times before, despite the fact that the peer group assumes new importance in adolescence, the family is still central to the health and well-being of the young person. In fact, Sheppard, Wright and Goodstadt (1985) go so far as to say that: ‘The pea1 group, contrary to what is commonly believed, has little or no influence as long as the family remains strong. Peers take over only when parents abdicate’ (p. 951). While this comment reflects an extreme view, it is undoubtedly clear from all the research that we have reviewed that most adolescents want to maintain, as far as possible, close positive relationships with their parents, and want their support and help. Parents who have positive relationships with their children can remain more influential than the peer group throughout adolescence. In fact, teenagers frequently use the standards of one group or the other, depending on what type of decision they are making (Glynn, 1981). For example, peers may be the reference group for music and dress, while parents are the reference group for long-term decisions about education and careers.
