Question

Which of the following statements about the influence of peers and parents in adolescence is true?

a. Most youths report pressure to deviate from parental values and expectations.

b. Parents are less influential in their teenagers' delinquent activities, such as risky sexual behavior and drug use, than are peers.

c. Parents and peers are equally influential on day-to-day activities and personal choices, such as choice of clothes and appearance.

d. Parents tend to have more influence on long-term plans, values, and educational plans than do peers.

Answer 1

The true statement about the influence of peers and parents during adolescence is that parents have a stronger impact on an adolescent's long-term plans, values, and educational aspirations compared to peers.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement about the influence of peers and parents in adolescence that is true is that parents tend to have more influence on long-term plans, values, and educational plans than do peers. This is because while peers do provide adolescents with important socialization experiences outside the family, parental influence still plays a critical role in shaping adolescents' moral systems, ethical values, and long-term aspirations.

Moreover, during adolescence, teens often experience a stronger sense of personal identity and develop their own values, a process which is deeply influenced by their parents' guidance, despite also spending more time with peers.

It appears that while adolescence is a time for exploring independence, with teens increasingly spending time with peers who influence day-to-day choices such as clothing and appearance, parental influence remains strong in areas like educational decisions, core values, and behaviors such as sexual activity. Parental involvement and engagement are key components that continue to shape an adolescent's long-term choices and values.