From the Desk of Keith Hafner 

Popularity Issues

A popular person is one who is liked by many people. It’s nice to be popular…but the pursuit of popularity can lead to trouble!

Heather says, ‘I want to be popular no matter what.  I’ll do whatever it takes!’

Monica says, ‘I’d like to be popular, of course…but not at any price. I insist on being myself!’

As parents, the thought expressed by Heather is bound to make us uneasy.  Monica, of course, expresses a healthier perspective.

When popularity becomes TOO important to your child, problems arise.

1.  Sometimes children will do things they know they shouldn’t do…because they are afraid of losing popularity.  They may “cave in” to peer pressure.

2.  Other times, children will feel that they aren’t popular with the ‘right’ crowd.  They don’t appreciate their current friends.

3.  Some kids believe that popularity is based on having the ‘right’ clothes, or participating in the ‘right’ activities.  They lose their identity by following the crowd.

When these types of popularity are attained, they are shallow and short lasting.  They last only until the next ‘popularity test’ comes up.

Teach your child to be a person who does the right thing…no matter what other people think; and that loyalty, integrity, and kindness will lead to genuine popularity!

Teach them to treat all others, regardless of social status, with respect and courtesy.

Remind them not to be tricked into doing things they know are wrong, in order to gain popularity.

Above all, continually teach them about the value and the importance of your relationship to each other within your family.  Teach them about your family history and your family heritage.

A young person who has a strong sense of family pride won’t succumb to the pressure to be TOO popular.

Popularity will come to your child when people recognize her as a person with integrity!