Something that I care a lot about is understanding peer pressure. Many people experience this everyday without realizing it. Peer pressure is hard to understand, but it’s a part of everyday life. People that surround you influence you in many different ways, both good and bad. Over time it can create positive and negative impacts on your health.
Peer pressure is extremely persuasive, and it’s hard to say no. People want to fit in with others, but a lot of the time, it backfires. For example, it can cause someone to change their personal style of clothing and force them to spend unnecessary money. Many people think that fitting in will keep them happy, but it normally does the opposite. It can make people upset and worried that something they love or like is hated by others.
Peer pressure can also have serious effects on your health. For example, if a lot of people smoke you might think that it would be better to join them. This can cause serious problems in the future. A popular saying is, “if your friends jumped off a cliff, would you do that?” This saying shows that peer pressure is dangerous and also hurtful.
Of course peer pressure can be used to a positive effect. For example, it can help motivate your friends who are a little too nervous to do something. It can help kids stand up for themselves and trust themselves more too. Peer pressure can be used to help others believe in themselves and make them feel welcome and happy.
Saying no is hard but essential to deal with peer pressure. It could cause you to lose someone you care about which is hard but important for your health. Even though someone pushes you to do something, you should always know you have a choice. It is up to you if what they are offering is right or wrong for you. You should always trust your gut feeling because it normally tells you if something is off or wrong.
A place that has a lot of good examples of peer pressure is in a middle school. For example, kids might threaten you to give them something in exchange for keeping a secret. Sometimes some kids might bring others down or push them to give up what they believe in. Some people might even bully others to fit in or to make them feel strong and in control of things.
Peer pressure doesn't only happen in person, it can also happen online. For example, people can make hurtful comments on others’s posts. This can be hurtful and also lower their self esteem. People can also convince you to do a “prank” that could put yourself and others in danger or trouble. Others could also try to get personal information by making up lies, such as this website is completely safe.
Finally, the point I am trying to make is to trust yourself. Every day, people will try to change something about you no matter how old you are. Know that you don’t have to appease everyone and as long as you are doing something that you enjoy, that's all that matters. Just know that no one is perfect, everyone makes mistakes, and it is completely normal, all you have to do is stay true to yourself.
Sources
https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/niaaa-middle-school/peer-pressure;
https://www.stmichaelscollege.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Guide-for-Parents-Peer-pressure-online.pdf
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