PEER PRESSURE
Fear of isolation and the feeling of being left behind and laughed at is the worst emotion that a person does not want to experience in his entire life.
The definition is neutral. The “peer groups” are not necessarily groups of the very young. “Action” and “values” need not always be bad. “Conformity” is voluntary. Not everyone craves for “acceptance”.
There are peer groups comprising of adults, professionals or various other types of people. Research about the dynamics of these groups does not receive as much publicity as the “peer pressure” of the young. It is not that the perceptions of such groups are always healthy.
I know of many school pupils who engage themselves in constructive social work or dramatically improve their academic performances because of their peers. Many schools and colleges do work on creating systems to foster an inclusive environment irrespective of the fact a particular student is perceived to be a conformist or not. If the family and the teachers show the students that there are many groups to select from based on criteria other than age or studentship, limited peer “acceptance” in the school will cease to produce the adverse results so horridly portrayed.
"Come on! ALL of us are cutting math. Whowants to go take that quiz? We're going totake a walk and get lunch instead. Let'sgo!" says the coolest kid in your class. Do you do what you know is right and go to math class, quiz and all? Or do you give in andgo with them?
As you grow older, you'll be faced with some challenging decisions. Some don't have a clear right or wrong answer — likeshould you play soccer or field hockey? Other decisions involve serious moral questions, like whether to cut class, try cigarettes,or lie to your parents.
Making decisions on your own is hard enough, but when other people get involved and try to pressure you one way or another it can be even harder. People who are your age, like your classmates, are called peers. When they try to influence how you act, to get you to do something, it's called peer pressure. It'ssomething everyone has to deal with — even adults.
All you have to do is to think individually. There are so many options for you to choose from, anyway, it is your life so you should handle it right.
