PEER PRESSURE

“Confidence is knowing who you are and not changing it a bit because of someone’s version of reality is not your reality.”
                                                                              ― Shannon L. Alder         

Humans tend to imitate habits, ideas and behaviours from others. While parents are really influential in their kids childhood, it is not the same case as they grow up.
As time passes, friends or peers tend to influence each other. This influence is what we call as peer pressure.                               
As per the Wikipedia, peer pressure is defined as the direct influence on people by peers, or the effect on an individual who gets encouraged to follow their peers by changing their attitudes, values or behaviours to conform to those of the influencing group or individual.
This can have either a positive or negative impact in one’s life.

According to a publication on peer pressure by Parent Further, only 10 percent of teenagers surveyed said that they had not been influenced by peer pressure.
That is a drastically less number.
More often in the adolescent age, people try to always fit in to the crowd so as become “SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE PEOPLE.”
This is the age when kids tend to see themselves and others through a different perspective. In our childhood most often parents choose our friends. Later, the authority shifts into our hands. As we grow up friends became an integral part of our lives. Hence, it is really important to choose the right friends.
Peer pressure is largely omnipresent in our daily lives that we often fail to notice it.  Peers play a large in the social and emotional development of the child.

According to statistics, 28 percent of teenagers agreed that giving in to peer pressure improved their social standing.

Good peers help you to improve in your weak areas. They
• Help boost self confidence
• Encourage new and positive ideas
• Help inculcate new ideas and habits
• Bring happiness and satisfaction
• Allow you to be who you are

Every coin has two sides…While positive peer pressure can have amazing impacts on one’s life, negative peer pressure can have devastating effects.

Few peers tend to force their interests and liking into ours even if we are not interested in it. Wrong friends impose inappropriate habits into us. For example: Shoplifting, Bullying, Ragging etc.                                         
Sometimes, we change our habits to not become victims of criticism and commentary. For example: Though you might secretly support a good cause, you might change your decision for the sake of your friends.

Negative peer pressure can have the following impacts
• Lows down one’s confidence
• Might lead to teen depression
• Bad decision making skills
• Distraction from education
• Bad behaviour
• Discourages talents and hobbies
• Encourages to take up risky habits

Therefore, it is very important that we choose friends who have same thoughts and ideas as ours. There are certain ways by which we can protect ourselves from negative peer pressure.

Talk to your parents: Parents are your best guides. There is no best friend than your parents themselves.                         
Practice to say NO: Make sure you reject or refuse things that you feel are harmful to you as well as your society.     
Be yourself: Ponder upon your thought and actions and think as to how it might affect others. Do not try to imitate others for the sake of popularity. Build up your own confidence and self- esteem. You are your best friend. Don’t waste time to impress your friends.




I hope this article helps you to understand the negative and positive impacts of peer pressure.

Sources:
https://parents.au.reachout.com/common-concerns/everyday-issues/peer-pressure-and-teenagers
https://aptparenting.com/facts-about-peer-pressure
https://teens.lovetoknow.com/Statistics_on_Peer_Pressure
https://au.reachout.com/articles/what-is-peer-pressure
https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/peer-pressure.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peer_pressure
http://www.aacap.org/AACAP/FAMILIES_AND_YOUTH/FACTS_FOR_FAMILIES/FFF-Guide/Peer-Pressure-104.aspx
https://education.media/negative-effects-of-peer-pressure-in-high-school
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/peer-pressure

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