Peer Pressure

What is peer pressure?

Well first we have to define what the word 'peer' is. A peer can be anyone that you look up to or a peer is someone who you would think is an equal in age or ability. So a peer can be a friend from school, someone in the community or even someone on TV.

When we talk about pressure we are not talking about the amount of pressure that the earth's
atmosphere is exerting on the human body.

We are talking about the pressure that someone exerts on somebody to do some sort of action,
whether it be for your sake or theirs.

So what do we have when you bring these two words together? Well, peer pressure is when somebody you know persuades you to do something that you would not normally consider when you're alone. Sometimes, it doesn't even have to be someone you know, it could be someone you want to know in that groovy group of people at school. Now we can continue on and talk about why peer pressure is becoming more evident in today's society and how you can deal with this.

Everyone goes through peer pressure at some stage of his or her life and some more than others. But it is more an issue in your teen years because you don't want to be left out or be different from other people. In today's world to be in a certain group you have to dress like them. You may not like what it is but because you want to be part of their group, you have to dress or play the part, with the majority of these times, the clothing being some sort of super hot brand name. In other instances, someone offering you a cigarette, daring you to do something that you are not confident enough to do, or even just pressuring you to miss school are forms of peer pressure.

These are just a few of the pressures that teenagers face all the time.

Sometimes your best friends will offer you a cigarette, drug or alcohol, but it is your choice to use it or not to use it. They may tease you and call you a wimp, but you have to tell them that it will be your choice to smoke that cigarette, and not theirs.

Peer pressure is not only a bad thing, it can also be a good thing.

It can be a source of affection, sympathy and understanding, a place of support and experience.

Peer pressure from others is good when someone, for example, pressures you into reading a book they and others enjoyed and you did also after reading the book. It can also help you do interesting or fun things that you wouldn't normally do or are nervous about doing.

Coping with peer pressure is different with every person. For some, it is easy to talk to someone about it, or maybe listen to music.

There are many different ways to cope with peer pressure, and you may have a completely different way to someone else. But that is your way.

One thing that is not recommended when someone is pressuring you to take or do something seriously bad or out of your league, is to keep it bottled up, because there are some people out there who are willing to listen and also help.

Have you got any suggestions to cope with peer pressure that you would like to add here?

People have to understand that their peers will still respect them even if they don't take a swig of that bottle of alcohol. It's the way you feel about the issue. If you feel comfortable, then do whatever you want, as long at its not illegal, doesn't hurt anyone or spoil someone else's experience. (Like, think about it.) And if you decide not to do it, remember that you are not a lower person and in some situations you are a greater person.

Back to top