Peer Pressure And Influence example essay topic

Defining Peer Pressure Have you ever done something-like smoking or trying drugs-just because you felt pressured or forced? Drinking, smoking, staying out past curfew, having sex when you are not ready, engaging in criminal behavior... whatever it may be, sometimes others pressure you to participate in something you might not want to do. In life we are faced with some challenging decisions. Making choices on our own can be tough, but when other people get involved with the decisions we make and influence us to do something we usually would not do so that we will be accepted by our peers and live up to their expectations or to follow a particular fashion or trend, this is called peer pressure. Everyone has to deal with it, even adults. We usually define a peer as a friend or acquaintance who is about the same age as you.

A peer could also be someone in the community or even someone on TV. Peers influence our decisions and actions, whether you know it or not, just by spending time with them. You learn from them, and they learn from you. Why Do People Give in to Peer Pressure? Some kids give in to peer pressure because they want to be liked, to fit in, or because they worry that other kids may make fun of them if they don't go along with the group. Others may go along because they are curious to try something new that others are doing.

The idea that "everyone's doing it" may influence some kids to leave their better judgment, or their common sense, behind. Peer pressure can be extremely strong and hard to resist. Experiments have shown how peer pressure can influence someone to change her mind from what she knows for sure is a correct answer to the incorrect answer - just because everyone else gives the incorrect answer! How does peer pressure affect us? When we think of peer pressure we always think of it in terms of "bad".

Peer pressure may be a positive influence and help to challenge or motivate us to do our best. You might admire a friend who is always a good sport and try to be more like her. Maybe you got others excited about your new favorite book, and now everyone's reading it. These are examples of how peers positively influence each other everyday. Peer pressure is not all bad, in fact it is essential to proper social development that we do learn to "follow the crowd".

The trick is learning to tell the difference between following the crowd and blindly following the crowd. If peer pressure is telling you to act in a generally appropriate way, to do the right thing, or to do more good than harm it is safe to say this is good. As long as following the crowd doesn't cause you to act without consideration, following is not always a bad thing to do. In a situation where peer pressure is good, individuals in the groups will be acting as individual parts of a whole, each working WITH the other. Peer pressure helps define who we are and how we feel about subjects in our lives. It is how we choose to react to peer pressure that defines who we are as an individual, whether we are a leader or a follower.

Sometimes peers influence each other in negative ways. For example, one kid in school might try to get another to cut class with him, your soccer friend might try to convince you to be mean to another player and never pass her the ball, or a kid in the neighborhood might want you to shoplift with him. Let's say that a friend tells you that smoking cigarettes is really cool. "Here, try one". So now there's two voices in your head. One says, "I want to be cool and fit in.

If I say no, everyone will think I'm weird". Another voice says, "Give me a break! Don't you know that smoking is stupid! No way anyone is going to make me do something that's bad for me What kind of a friend are you, anyway? ". Peer pressure is always tough to deal with, especially when it comes to sex.

Some teenagers decide to have sexual relationships because their friends think sex is cool. Others feel pressured by the person they are dating. Still others find it easier to give in and have sex than to try to explain why not. Some teenagers get caught up in the romantic feelings and believe having sex is the best way they can prove or demonstrate their love. The effects of drugs and alcohol can make it hard to think clearly, and make you do things that you normally wouldn't do. While you " re under the influence of drugs and alcohol it is easy to make a decision you " ll regret later.

Even worse, there are some people who will use the effects of alcohol and other drugs to force you into having sex with them. Peer pressure may influence us in a number of ways, including our: o Fashion choice o Alcohol and other drugs use o Decision to have a boyfriend / girlfriend o Choice of who are our friends o Academic performance How to Walk Away From Peer Pressure It can be hard to walk away from peer pressure, but it can be done. Paying attention to your own feelings and beliefs about what is right and wrong can help you know the right thing to do. Teens who feel good about who they are have an easier time saying 'No. ' Inner strength and strong self-esteem helps children and adolescents make decisions and follow them, even if their friends do not think some choices are "cool". Studies have also shown that all it takes for someone to stand her ground on what she knows is right is for one other peer to join her.

It's great to have friends with values similar to yours who will back you up when you don't want to do something. Hanging out with people who like doing similar stuff may help to avoid a situation where you feel pressured into stuff you don't want to do. Having a group of friends is one of the most important aspects of being a teenager. It is how teenagers learn to get on in the world of their own age group and to gradually become independent. You " ve probably had a parent or teacher advise you to "choose your friends wisely". Peer pressure is a big reason why they say this.

If you choose friends who don't use drugs, cut class, smoke cigarettes, or lie to their parents, then you probably won't do these things either, even if other kids do so. It's up to you to make the choice that's good for you. It takes time to learn that not everyone will be your friend anyway, not matter what you wear, say or do. So, it's important to make choices that you can live with.