The Art of Peer Pressure

Smoking marijuana, having premarital sex, underage drinking, participating in community service, and achieving good grades are all acts that can fall under the divisions of lewd or positive behaviors that have been glorified by today’s youthful and adolescent society. Through media, social networks, and authoritative figures, today’s youth has been influenced by the classical and ageless art of peer pressure. Peer pressure as defined by (dictionary.com) is, “a social pressure by members of one’s peer group to take a certain action, adopt certain values or otherwise conform in order to be accepted”. The causes and effects have a much greater effect on adolescent teens than any other demographic. The hours spent with other teens greatly increases the chances that they will be more susceptible to do things that often go against their character, and or beliefs.

Succumbing to peer pressure stems from a lack of confidence, insecurities, and the undying actions to impress their peers and authoritative figures. Adolescents often feel compelled to step outside of his or her comfort zone to measure up to the “status quo” that has been created by modern society. The norm of today has made it acceptable to imitate acts that have been deemed as “cool”. The human condition naturally wants to group together for safety and security and to feel a part of something that is bigger than an individual. Often if an individual is too different from the peer group, he or she may no longer belong and may end up exiled from future endeavors within the group. Because of incidents and exiles such as this, people within a group will try to conform to group attitudes and behaviors and risk their own personal identities For example, children learn this trait a...

... middle of paper ...

... is uniquely made and shouldn’t try to be a representation or attempt to imitate others. Have specific goals will create a sense of urgency and independence. Goals need to be focused on things that really effect the person. For example the latest trends Michael Jordan shoes are in style and fashionable but one may reevaluate their goals and how he or she will spend the money.

Peer pressure is an everyday obstacle that one must face every day. Throughout history, society begins to conform and lose its identity as individuals. Steps are meant to be taken to help preserve the originality of humans as a whole. The causes and effects have a much greater effect on adolescent teens than any other demographic. The hours spent with other teens greatly increases the chances that they will be more susceptible to do things that often go against their character, and or beliefs.