Peer pressure, stress or strain you feel from friends and school mates to act, behave, think and look a certain way.

This kind of pressure can cover everything from fashion through to sex and dating.

"If you haven't got a girlfriend then you're a freak."

"He said he'd tell my friends I was frigid if we didn't have sex."

"I want to fit in...but I don't want to do it yet..."

"I don't care what they say, I'll do my own thing...be brave, be yourself & only do what you want to!"

If you're really worried about peer pressure it's very important to talk to someone, perhaps an older brother or sister or some different friends. It will make you feel much better if you can find someone to talk to.

What do I do . . .
The simple answer is don't do anything you don't want to do.

This includes wearing clothes you're not comfortable in, drinking alcohol when you don't want to, taking drugs when you'd rather not, having sex when you want to say 'no' and basically acting in a way that doesn't feel right for you.

I can't say no . . .
Saying 'no' is not always as easy as it sounds. This is mainly because we often worry about what people will think of us, we want to be liked and fit in.  But you need to consider this: Taking the easy option and doing what your friends/boyfriends want you to do may mean doing something that you will regret and have to live with.

I don't want to lose my friends . . .
If your friends are true friends they should respect what you want to do and some of them may be secretly relieved as you may be voicing their fears too!

So our advice is, be brave, be yourself and do what you want to do!

5 Things you need to know about bullies & controllers
They need to make you feel small so they feel better about themselves. You don't need their approval to feel good about yourself.

They are afraid of anyone that's different to them. You can listen to their opinion but that doesn't mean you'll agree with them.

They are anxious about criticism so they'll criticise first. You'd rather be by yourself than with people who are unkind.

They are insecure...even if they don't seem it. You don't have to believe or do what they say - just because they say so.

They set the rules that they can fit into so they'll be ok at your expense. You won't care if they don't like you, you'll find people to be with who like you for who you really are.

Sara 14 & Jack 12 on being single

"Single people are sad that's why you've got to have a boyfriend." Sara, 14
"Being on your own is lonely, people look at you as if you've got two heads." Jack, 12
What's wrong with being single? Nothing really if you think about it. Many single people are attractive and have fun - perhaps they like being single or just haven't found anyone they like and fancy. If you're so desperate for a boyfriend/girlfriend you need to ask yourself why? Are you hoping that someone else will solve all the problems in your life? Do you think having someone to date will make you less lonely? More attractive? Or more acceptable to your friends? If any of these are your reasons then you need to think again.

A date is not the answer to any of life's problems.

Tina 13 & Kelly 12 on breast size

"My breasts are too big, and I feel embarrassed. I know everyone thinks they look gross." Tina, 13
"I am worried because I have no breasts. Boys don't fancy girls who are flat up top."  Kelly, 12
Despite what some people say, having breasts of any shape and size is a perfectly normal part of being a woman. People only act weird about them because of the emphasis TV, advertising and films puts on breasts.

The important thing to remember is breasts are just breasts. This means all sizes and shapes are normal. If you still think yours are abnormal, take a look around you and see just how many variations they are.

Dawn 13 & Darren 14 on first time sex

"I've heard sex is messy and hurts the first few times." Dawn, 13
"Sex is pretty scary. I did it once but it wasn't like I expected it to be. " Darren, 14
Sex is only scary when you do it for the wrong reasons - i.e. peer pressure, to be like your friends, or because you want to keep a boyfriend or girlfriend. On the whole there's a lot of good things to be said about sex. It's exciting, good fun, and with the right person is very enjoyable.

Sex should not hurt - if it does maybe one or both of you are not relaxed or are having sex when you don't really want to. A girl may experience some pain/discomfort the first time she has sex but this should not continue.  Sex isn't particularly messy but the more comfortable you are with your partner the less you will be worried about being open about your body and using condoms.

Liz 14 & Paul 14 on sex

"He told me, 'it's bad for a boy's health to get a hard on and not have sex'." Liz, 14
"Girls don't have sexual feelings which is why they don't want sex." Paul,14
It won't kill a boy not to let him get his way over sex, and it won't physically harm him to not ejaculate.

It's absolute rubbish that girls don't have sexual feelings! If this were true no girl would ever masturbate (touch their own sexual bits for pleasure).

Dave 14 on body odour (B.O)

"Everyone makes fun of me at school and calls me BO boy. I never used to be like this, what's happening to me? I feel like a freak." Dave, 14
Sweating is completely normal and it happens to everyone. It only seems worse during puberty because the body's sweat glands have gone a bit wild. However, it's nothing to worry about, or feel bad about.

Perspiring is just the body's way of cooling off. It only becomes smelly when it dries on clothes. Beat the odour and the jibes by changing your clothes and washing every day, wearing cotton tops and using an antiperspirant.

Ling 15 on starting her periods

"My friends say there is something wrong with me because I am 15 and my periods haven't even started yet." Ling, 15
The strange thing about periods is that most girls spend months wishing they'd arrive, only to wonder why we bothered when they finally do! The fact is there is no 'normal' age for periods to start. Some girls begin as young as 10, others as late as 16/17 years. If you want an indication of when you'll start ask your mother when her periods began, as your body's likely to start around the same time. If you're still worried see your GP for reassurance.

 Rajeev 12 and Jaqui 14 on looks

"Only good looking blokes get the girls." Rajeev, 12
"Boys don't want normal girls. They want to date girls who look like models." Jaqui, 14
If you take good looking to mean supermodel looks, then you're wrong - anyone can get a date. However, it is the people who are comfortable with themselves who get asked out.

Sade 14 on sex and love

"My last boyfriend said sex leads to love. I never slept with him because I didn't think that was true. But my friends all say it works.  I'm confused." Sade, 14
Contrary to popular belief, sex doesn't lead to love, and love doesn't always lead to sex. If you have sex in the hope it will make someone love you, you're heading for much upset and misery.

Likewise, if you love someone, this doesn't mean you have to have sex with them.