According to Took (2007), making decisions on your own is hard enough, but when other people get involved and try to pressure you one way or another it can be even harder. People who are your age, like your classmates, are called peers. When they try to influence how you act, to get you to do something, it’s called Peer Pressure. It’s something everyone has to deal with – even adults. peer pressure is one thing that all teens have in common. You can’t escape it; it is everywhere.
No matter how popular you are, how well liked you may be or how together you feel, sooner or later you will have to face peer pressure. Whether it is pressure to conform to a group norm or pressure to act a certain way. 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. Mueller states that, “The ugly reality is that Peer Pressure reaches its greatest intensity at just the age when kids tend to be most insensitive and cruel. ”
Every Peer group has its own identity and which greatly depends on the personality of its members. Feller (1995), has stated that despite the differences between groups, the group members always try and influence each other. They have some conformity to common set of rules and norms, which a member must not break without being forced to leave the group. Also Peer Pressure can be either positive or negative. Pressure exerted in a positive way can help motivate you on to be the best you can be. Keeping up with the schoolwork or being more articipative in class are the traits of positive Peer Pressure exerted on you by the group.
The Term Paper on Peer Group Relations In Middle School And High Sch
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Negative Peer Pressure can make you do things you don’t want to do, like having early sex or taking drugs. It can make you feel depressed and de-motivated. “Responding to Peer Pressure is part of human nature — but some people are more likely to give in, and others are better able to resist and stand their ground. People who are low on confidence and those who tend to follow rather than lead could be more likely to seek their peers’ pproval by giving in to a risky challenge or suggestion. People who are unsure of themselves, new to the group, or inexperienced with peer pressure may also be more likely to give in,” (Lyness, 2006).
Also Feller (1995), in his study, states that Peer Pressure can be very subtle-you may not realize its happening.
Some groups use Peer Pressure as a tool to gain power over members, whereas other don’t intend to exert the pressure, they just do that naturally. According to Hardcastle, there are certain personality traits or risk factors that make you ore prone to give in to pressure. Some kids give in to Peer Pressure because of low self esteem and lack of confidence, whereas others give in to pressure because they want to be liked, to fit in, or because they feel that others would make fun of them if they don’t go along with the group. Messier, states that, “The only pressure I’m under is the pressure I’ve put on myself. ” The idea that “everyone’s doing it” may influence some kids to leave their better judgment, or their common sense, behind.
