Peer Pressure
Peer Pressure
Have you ever done something that you weren't planning on doing but you did it anyway only because your friends are doing it? If you answered yes, then you are a victim of peer pressure.
“I smoked my first cigarette when I was 11. I didn’t want to but all my friends were smoking and I didn’t want to be out of the group. Once I’d started I couldn’t stop. I was addicted… I wish I hadn’t started. I knew it was wrong and I didn’t want to.”
At what age did Mike start smoking?
What caused him to start smoking?
Do you think he would be smoking if he had friends who didn't smoke?
Your peers are people your age or close to it who have experiences and interests similar to yours. These people can be found in your grade, church, sports team, or community. These peers also influence you by the way they dress and act, things they're involved in, and the attitudes they show. People are influenced by peers because they want to fit in, be like peers they admire, do what others are doing or have what others have.
Peer pressure refers to the influence a peer or peer group has in encouraging a person to change his or her attitudes, values or behavior in order to be accepted. Peer pressure causes an individual to lose his/her personality and you go against things that you believe in.
Negative peer pressure occurs when an individual adopts dangerous habits from his/her peers. In order to feel accepted in a social circle, the individual starts smoking, drinking or doing drugs because they want to feel that they belong. They want their so-called friends to accept them.
Choose your peers wisely.
Know when to say “no”.
Ask your teacher, parent or an adult for help.
Peers can influence you in a positive way, especially when life is confusing with having to deal with growing older and your place in the world.
Positive peer pressure is when someone's peers influence them to do something positive or growth building. For example, peers who are committed to doing well in school or at sports can influence others to be more goal orientated. Similarly, peers who are kind, loyal or supportive influence others to be the same. Positive peer pressure is good because it makes one a better person.
“My peer group wants to make a difference. We are all doing well at school and we want to keep it that way. We know there are bad things out there and we want to help each other to make the right decisions. My friends are like family to me and we all look out for each other. It’s what keeps me calm ‘cause I need them to support me when I need help. I’m there for them when they need me to. It’s cool and it works.”
Is this positive or negative peer pressure?
Give a reason for your answer in question 1.
Would this type of peer pressure make an individual a better or a worse person?
Explain 1 way in which you can help promote this type of peer pressure among your friends.
Write about 1 of your experiences with negative peer pressure. Explain how you know it was negative and how you dealt with it.
Explain how having good self-esteem can help you overcome negative peer pressure.