Research Paper about Peer Pressure

Have your buddies ever forced you to do something in order for you to fit in? That's peer pressure, and it can have both positive and harmful consequences. Peer pressure occurs when members of your social group attempt to persuade you to take specific actions in order for you to feel accepted. Peer pressure affects an abundance of students as they enter middle or high school, whether it is negative and leads to unsafe activities, or positive and encourages them to grow. It may be tough to understand its meaning and variations, but it is critical to do so.

To begin, what exactly is peer pressure? It is defined as “the influence exerted by a peer group on individual members to fit in with or conform to the group's norms and expectations” by the American Psychological Association. Peer groups are made up of people of similar ages, hobbies, and social standings; pressure refers to exerting force on any activities. Attitudes, values, and actions are examples of things that one's peer group may seek to change. This is one of the most difficult challenges that a teenager may encounter, due to the fear that if they refuse to give in, they will be shunned.

Furthermore, peer pressure is frequently frowned upon. It’s understandable, given it can lead to inappropriate behavior such as using substances like alcohol and drugs. The National Center for Biotechnology states that students are more interested in “...gaining social approval or avoiding social sanctions as they are by the future benefits of education.” This verifies that peer pressure can spill over and harm academic performance. Peer pressure that is negative might lead to difficulties regarding self-esteem. Not submitting to one’s friends may make them feel neglected, but being pressured to act against one’s values may be equally as unfavorable. Although peer pressure has its negative connotations, it can be beneficial.

Conversely, peer pressure can be advantageous when combined with encouragement and support rather than pressure and persuasion. For instance, if one’s peer group is invested in performing well in school, an individual could work harder to achieve good grades; this is positive peer pressure through stimulating positive choices. The Center for Parent and Teen Communication implies that peers can be role models by “...joining the school track club, choosing a healthy option instead of junk food, or making it easier to say no in a situation where drugs or alcohol are present.” This proves that friends who make healthy decisions for themselves can inspire others to do the same. At last, partaking in peer pressure leads to a sense of belonging since they’ve discovered a safe place in a group with whom they share common interests.

It goes without saying that peer pressure will have a significant impact on a person's life. Almost everyone has been subjected to peer pressure in some form or another, at some point in time. Peer pressure develops when we are influenced by our companions' habits and ways of thinking. A rational approach to our peers' behavior can have a great impact. Impulsively following peers and failing to form your own perspective, on the other hand, might just have a harmful impact on your life. Whether you’re affected positively or negatively by peer pressure depends on you and the people you surround yourself with.