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British Youth Succumbs to ‘Image Envy’

Writes Dan Drage dan.drage@consumerchoices.co.uk

UK teenagers are spending heavily as a result of peer pressure according to recent reports.

Extensive surveys carried out by Alliance and Leicester (www.alliance-leicester.co.uk) among teenagers and young people have unearthed evidence of a trend for pressurised spending. A quarter of all 16-21 year olds confessed to spending as a result of peer-pressure. Moreover, over half those surveyed admitted they feel pressured into buying the same clothes as their friends.

Nine out of ten teenagers and young workers feel image is a crucial factor in how others judge them. A third feel judged on the style of their accessories, such as designer inspired sunglasses or handbags.

These celebrity-influenced stresses can be cruel as well as costly, with almost half (47%) of youngsters saying they feel judged on their weight or clothes size.

Andy Muddimer, Current Account Manager at Alliance and Leicester, had the following to say:

“Peer-pressure has always been rife among young people, as youngsters understandably feel the need to fit in or to belong”

He continues:

“While spending on clothes and accessories to keep up with your mates is important to this age-group, we would urge them to get savvy with their cash, and that will make it easier for them to keep up with the new trends and lifestyle accessories.”

Nearly half (47%) of youngsters living in the Midlands say their image is ‘very important' to them, compared to 38% in London.

Chris Eagle, Commercial Manager at Credit Choices, has some fiscal advice for this age group:

“The FSA have set up a specialist website for young people called ‘What About Money?’, and you can learn a whole heap of things about budgeting and making your money work for you here.”

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