Peer pressure is the influence others have on you. The influence on your activities and choices. The need to fit in and be part of a group, to be accepted and be appreciated by your friends.
Peer influence can be both beneficial and harmful.
Learning to balance the influence is key, the much you give and the much you should receive from your group. It has an enormous impact on a person's life.
Peer pressure comes in different ways;
-It can be spoken and loud. This depicts when your group coerces you with words or threats and persuades another to partake in an activity that one would have contrarily not done.
-Another approach is action-based. The group engages in activities let say, alcohol consumption, and as part of the group, you should also take it. The choice is yours but it is expected that as a member, you should conform to the group. Action-based pressures coerce these young people into acceptance and conformity just to identify with the group.
-Negative peer pressure explores activities that are not beneficial to one's life and that might be detrimental. It is the most common particularly among teenagers. This group lacks identity and self-control and are easy victims of older or popular kids just to feel accepted.
Negative peer pressure could include influence directly or indirectly to substance abuse, bullying, or shoplifting.
-Positive peer pressure is just peer pressure but in a positive direction. It involves the same tactics consciously or unconsciously influencing others to choose better choices and engage in social activities ie encouraging a friend to volunteer or helping them manage their addictions.
Causes of peer pressure include the following;
1LOW SELF-ESTEEM
Many people are battling low self-esteem syndrome. It has consequently landed most in trouble. The low value and perception of oneself based on the opinion of others and our own about ourselves. Most young adults and teens are victims of peer pressure. The lack of confidence in who we are the feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth makes us want to be like those we admire. We tend to copy everything they do and engage in everything they engage in just to feel confident and worthy.
Copying way of dressing, foods, activities including those that might harm you ie drug abuse. The pressure to want to be like them is too overwhelming and one can do almost anything to be like them regardless of the consequences.
Know and celebrate your identity, your flaws, and your strength. This will help you conquer peer pressure.
2IDENTITY CRISIS
At that young vulnerable age, the mind is still developing. The need to find the person you are is a crucial part of the many confrontations between adolescence and young adults with their parents which forces them to take comfort from their peers. Even with perfect parents, and role models in one's life, peer pressure is a threat. The need to be independent and self-reliant pushes them to influence by peers.
Parents and guardians should engage more in the lives of this age group and assure them of who they are to stop them from falling into peer pressure.
3INSTABILITIES AT HOME
Every human being needs a place or people to call home. The instabilities at home due to divorce, abuse, or chronic illnesses can put kids and young adults in a susceptible position. It pushes them to seek an alternate sense of belonging with their peers.
This influence might be good or bad. It nonetheless helps them cope with the situation they are in. These people have a low opinion and value life and are easily influenced.
4DESIRE TO FIT IN
Peer pressure takes a hold of the young mind. The need to conform is too strong, they want to be recognized and dignified as a group member to the point of crossing boundaries. No one wants to feel uncomfortable or awkward. The peer group provides a sense of belonging and support which might be a good influence because they boost your confidence and introduce you to things that can be positive for you.
The need to fit especially among teens might be due to the kids getting weary of being picked on or bullied at school. They just conformed to stop the abuse. If dressing and engaging in activities the cool kids engage in will stop them from picking on me, then I will copy and do what they do.
5WEAK PERSONALITY
People exploit the person's emotional, physical, and mental weaknesses to their advantage. The easy influence on a person indicates a weak personality. If you cannot withstand the influence of others, it means you're too naive, scared, or ignorant. If you find yourself in a situation where you don't know what to do human beings tend to look on to others for cues, for a sense of direction, and are vulnerable to influence by those informed. It is easy to influence timid and scared individuals. Threats and abuse of any kind will compel them to accept what you are saying.
Work on your emotional and mental strength to avoid being a victim of peer pressure.
