Peer Pressure

https://peerpressuretanishaverma.blogspot.comhttps://peerpressuretanisha.blogspot.com/2020/04/peer-pressure.html  PEER PRESSURE

  (By Tanisha Verma)

 Peer pressure  is the direct influence on people by peers, or the effect on an individual who gets encouraged to follow their peers by changing their attitudes, values or behaviors to conform to those of the influencing  group or individual. People are susceptible to peer pressure  because of a desire to belong as well as for a fear of not belonging. It can have both negative as well as positive effect on a individual.

    

     Why it is a Problem?

  Peer pressure is something that              causes conflict in an individual's life.      The feeling of not fitting in, not being      good enough, and not being a part of      the “group” overwhelms and takes          over   the mindset of an individual.     High    stress and hurtful experiences      seem to always be the result to giving    to peer pressure because of the              endless amount of negative aspects      that can come with it. Statistics say        between 20% – 30% of adolescents        report symptoms of depression           because of peer pressure. It can   decrease one's confidence.

Teenage school children and College students mostly seems to be moved by Peer pressure.But nowadays not just children but Peer pressure can affect individuals of all ethnicity, genders and ages, however. Peer pressure has moved from strictly face to face,interaction to digital interaction as well. Social media offers opportunities for adolescents and adults alike to instill and/or experience pressure every day. Research suggests that not just individuals but also organizations, such as large corporations, are susceptible to peer pressures, such as pressures from other firms in their industry or headquarters city.

 However, a person does not need to be a member or be seeking membership of a group to be affected by peer pressure. It decrease s one's confidence. Researches have shown that peer pressure begins in childhood not in teen age

      Causes of Peer Pressure

   

A desire to ‘fit in.’
To avoid rejection and gain social acceptance.
Hormonal inconsistencies.
Personal/social confusion and/or anxiety.
A lack of structure at home.

  

EFFECTS OF PEER PRESSURE OVER TEENAGERS

• individual is under pressure to use alcohol, cigarettes or drugs
• pressure to engage in risk taking behaviours
• distraction from schoolwork
• distance between family and existing friends
• drastic changes in behaviour and attitudes.
  

         According to a publication on peer           pressure by Parent Further, only              10 percent of teenagers surveyed            said that they had not been                      influenced by peer pressure. In                that   same group, 28 percent of b            teenagers agreed that giving in to            peer pressure improve their social         standing and nearly half of those            surveyed admitted to picking on              someone only after a friend 

      picked on that person.

  How to overcome Peer Pressure?

• Pay attention to how you feel.  If something doesn’t feel right about a situation, it probably isn’t.  Even if your friends seem ok with what is going on, the situation may not be right for you.
• Talk to the person who is pressuring, let him or her know how it makes you feel and tell the person stop.
• Have a secret code to communicate with parents. Something you can say or text to your parent(s) that lets them know you need out of a situation. Parents can either call or text to say that you need to come home, or that they need to pick you up.
• Give an excuse. It should be ok to say “no” without needing to apologize or give an explanation.  But it may make it easier to say no if you have a ready reason. Perhaps saying you have a medical reason such as asthma or allergies that makes it dangerous for you to take anything. Or even stating that your parents need you to come home, if you feel it would be best to leave the situation all together.
• Have friends with similar values and beliefs.  It is easier to say “no” if someone else is also saying it.  Saying “no” together makes it easier for the both of you.
• Get support from a trusted adult such as a parent, teacher, or school counselor.  A trusted adult can listen to you and help you with strategies that might work in your situation.