Reinforcing factors / social influences
For example, a mother who is planning to start family planning (FP) might be influenced by negative attitudes from her peer group and think, "Most of my friends do not use FP methods, and I may lose friends in the neighbourhood if I use the methods". She might also be influenced by her family: "My family members do not all support the idea of using FP methods, especially my husband and my mother-in-law. They would be mad at me if I use FP". She may also be aware that her community society or culture generally may not be supportive: "Everyone in our community is against FP, and it is seen as a sin in our society".
In general, we are all influenced by the various persons in the social network. Pressure from others can be a positive influence to adopt health promoting practices as well as an obstacle. In the case of a young child, it is usually the parents who have the most influence. As a child grows older, friends/peers become important, and a young person can feel a powerful pressure to conform to the peer group. For example, a young man starts smoking because his friends encouraged him to do so.