Peer Pressure Essay

Peer pressure has existed since the beginning of time. From the days of Adam and Eve to the era of social media, peer pressure has always been present in some shape or form. An example of today’s peer pressure is seen in social media; it can influence a large group of people to donate to a specific cause, but it can also influence people to participate in dangerous behaviors. This peer pressure is seen at many different levels and can affect all types of people, whether you are a toddler or an elder. Human beings are easily influenced; if people see their peers doing something, they are likely to take interest in the same thing. A natural desire to be accepted by a person’s peers leads to peer pressure which can lead to negative or positive

This is especially evident during the adolescent years; sometimes the power of a teenager’s own social circle becomes stronger than the influence of the relatives close to them(Peer Pressure, Bullying). This is because humans have a natural desire to be “accepted.” The psychological structures that are made up of personal morals and beliefs become clouded by the influence of others because people have this natural need for affiliation. If people are not abiding by the normal or doing what everyone else is doing, they feel left out and rejected. Some fear rejection because they feel as if they will be alienated from their peers because they do not participate in the same activities (Peer Pressure). For example, many teenagers want to appear mature to their friends, so they will agree to participate in things that they may not be mentally prepared for

Influencing people to do positive activities such as worship, exercise and studying is advantageous for all parties involved. It provides the social acceptance that humans yearn for while also accounting for the future ramifications of the decisions people make. These activities can also discourage bad habits and help people counteract bad peer pressure as well(The Major Causes). An example of this is encouraging a friend to try something new even though their other peers have declined it. This can boost self-confidence and help the person overcome their obstacles and try something new because they want to, not because someone else thinks another option is better. Finding the right group of people to be around is crucial to counteracting bad peer pressure because it gives the individual a support system that which he or she can lean on despite their circumstances(Peer Pressure). This helps the person make better decisions in life because they are surrounded by a better peer group. Positive peer pressure can also help teach valuable life lessons that will positively impact everyone, such as honesty and discipline. A good example of this is helping a friend repair a relationship with someone that they were dishonest with. People can share experiences to influence that person to be honest and clear their conscience. Positive peer pressure is a useful tool that can not only block out negative peer pressure, but it can