The Difficulties of Being a Teenager

The Difficulties of Being a Teenager

“Go on.” “Everybody’s doing it.” “It’s only one drink.” “You’re such a

loser.”

I didn’t know what to do. All these voices were repeating over

and over in my head. I didn’t want to give into them because I knew

what I was doing was wrong. I didn’t want everyone to think I was

scared but what if my parents found out. Why was I here? Are these

people really my friends if they are really doing this to me? These

were the questions that I didn’t know the answers to. I knew in my

heart it was wrong but I gave in. This is usually the typical outcome

of a scene like this. It is called peer pressure. It can be seen in

many different places. In this essay I am going to look at different

ways in which teenagers can be influenced by peer pressure.

Many teenagers try cigarettes, drugs or alcohol. It is likely

that they take their first cigarette, drink or drug because of

pressure from peers or friends. The influence of friends who smoke is

the main reason teenager’s start, although you are also more likely to

start if your parents do. Cigarettes, like alcohol, are an acquired

taste but lots of people get addicted.

Often kids drink to feel less uncomfortable and more relaxed

with friends because they are encouraged to do so by other teenagers.

Regular drinking can lead to poor school work, or other kinds of

problems, the use of other drugs and sometimes even suicide,

The main difference between alcohol or cigarettes and other drugs is

that once you are over a certain age you can legally buy alcohol and

cigarettes. The use of most drugs is illegal at any age. Although

drugs are eas...

... middle of paper ...

...cation

can make recovery quicker and easier.

At teenager, relations expand to occupy a particularly central

role in a young person’s life. New types and levels of relationships

emerge. Friends typically replace the family as the centre of a young

person’s socializing and leisure activities. Teenagers have many peer

relationships, and they confront multiple “peer cultures” that have

remarkably different normal and value systems. The adult perception of

peers as having one culture or a dangerous influence is inaccurate.

More often than not, peers reinforce family values, but they have the

potential to encourage problem behaviors as well. Although the

negative peer influence is over-emphasized, more can be done to help

teenagers experience the family and the friends group as mutually

constructive environments.