Peer Pressure Helps Students Grow As Individuals

Peers play an important part in a child's or teenager’s social and emotional development. Their impact starts at a young age and grows throughout their teenage years. As children grow and mature, it is natural for them to rely on friends.

Peers can be both positive and negative. While positive peers help the child to develop new skills, learn new books, music, etc., the negative ones can encourage your child to avoid classes, cheat in school, use drugs or alcohol, or get involved in other dangerous behaviors. In most cases, teens with substance abuse problems start using drugs or alcohol due to peer pressure.

Such a peer pressure occurs not just in person but on social media as well. Kids succumb to peer pressure as they try to fit in. They try so hard to be liked and are scared that they may be left out that they go along with the group.

Tips for Avoiding Peer Pressure

Here are some of the tips about handling peer pressure.

1. Avoid peers who force you to do things that are wrong and dangerous.
2. It’s okay to say “NO” and practice them to get out of situations that are unsafe and uncomfortable.
3. Spend time with other kids who fight peer pressure. It is good to have at least one friend who can say “NO.”
4. If you are having problems with peer pressure, talk to an adult whom you can trust such as parents, teacher or school counselor.

Parents can also help by identifying when their child is suffering from peer pressure.

Here are some tips to help your child fight peer pressure.

1. Have open and honest communication with your child. Let them know that they can come to you for any guidance or if they are feeling the pressure of any sort.
2. Teach your child to be self-confident and resist any pressure to get themselves involved in any dangerous or illegal activities.
3. Know your child’s friends. If there are any issues or problems, share your concerns with their parents.
4. Check how your child interacts with friends and other people online. Tell them about the internet and how to practice safe use of social media.
5. Help your child learn self-confidence. Children who feel good about themselves do not succumb to peer pressure.

Pros of Peer Pressure

Peer pressure can be beneficial in numerous ways, especially when it motivates a person to get out of his/her comfort zone and do something extraordinary. It also increases a person's self-confidence because our brain takes other people's opinions into account and prioritizes them.

This strategy is used by many salesmen and businessmen to persuade customers to buy their products and services. We always get various recommendations about a specific product and the brain begins to like them. Alternatively, it improves the image of that specific brand or product, making a person buy or at least consider the product.

Peer pressure mainly benefits the youth. When a youth is influenced by a person or a group of people, he or she strives harder to become successful and achieve great heights in their life.

Cons of Peer Pressure

Peer pressure has a number of drawbacks that can affect a person in numerous ways. Peer pressure can be stressful for a person who doesn’t want to do a task.

Moreover, severe peer pressure must be avoided as it can be harmful to the person. A person should always listen to his gut instinct while considering opinions that are in favor of him.

Celebrities’ glam lives play a big role in today's youth, and since they follow them blindly so much, they become their peers and do things such as drugs and smoking. Sadly, even minors are influenced by such things that can hinder their education and career.

It is always necessary to understand the outcome of an action before you get influenced by your peers. Also, peer pressure must be secondary, and you should always put your thoughts and needs first.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do you do peer pressure to impress your friends?

If you are doing something simply to gain your friends’ attention, then it is not worth it. Start saying NO and seek guidance from counselor or your parents. Saying “NO” isn’t bad, especially if your friends ask you to do something illegal or dangerous.

2. Which sector of society is fiercely affected by peer pressure?

Youth and even children are falling victims to peer pressure that has a negative impact on their life. It is ruining their education and their career opportunities.

3. What are the pros of peer pressure?

Peer pressure is helpful as it increases a person's self-confidence because our brain takes other people's opinions into account and prioritizes them.

4. What are the cons of peer pressure?

Peer pressure can be stressful for a person who doesn’t want to do a task. Moreover, severe peer pressure must be avoided as it can be harmful to the person.