What is meant by pressure?
'Pressure' in this context can be understood in at least two ways. On the one hand, it can refer to coercion. However, outright coercion entails threatening to infringe someone's rights (such as the autonomy to make decisions about their own body), while leaving them with no reasonable alternative but to comply (2). Although it is possible to envision scenarios where a person is coerced into choosing death, this is not usually the type of pressure that fuels concerns about individuals being pressured into ending their life (3).
However, it is important to note that being exposed to external pressure does not necessarily mean a person is influenced by it
More often, pressure involves someone (like close friends and family) or something (such as norms and expectations) influencing a person's decision, without coercion in the strict sense of the word (3). The fact that the pressure is 'external', as described in the quote above, should be understood as either relational or structural; i.e. not from the person themselves. However, it is important to note that being exposed to external pressure does not necessarily mean a person is influenced by it. On the contrary, there are many historical examples of people who resisted the immense pressure they were under (4). The risk only arises, therefore, when the person starts being influenced by the pressure.
At the same time, humans are relational beings; we do not live in a vacuum. Being influenced by something or someone is inevitable, and in many situations it is also desirable, such as in close relationships. Therefore, influence in itself is not the problem. When a person is persuaded to act against their better judgement or personal values, it is considered inappropriate influence (5). However, this also means that what constitutes inappropriate influence is subjective, context-dependent and varies from one person to another.