The negative effects of peer pressure and how to overcome peer influence

  

Date Posted: 1/8/2013 6:22:02 AM

Posted By: Trizah Munyeki  Membership Level: Silver  Total Points: 265

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Peer pressure basically entails being compelled to do what your friends or colleagues are doing usually with the fear of losing affiliation to them. Most young people are vulnerable to peer pressure especially in social institutions such as schools and entertainment joints. As much as interacting with peers is fun and a very useful socialization agent, it should be noted that peer pressure has diverse negative effects. Such include: guilt conscience, lowered self-esteem, comprised personality, exposure to health and mental problems among others.

A guilt conscience arises whenever one goes against their will and does something to please others. A good example is when a friend(s) convinces you to join them in a plot to make away with some stuff; at first you resist because you feel what you would be doing is wrong but they strongly pressure you to give in until they win you over. In that case, peer pressure overcomes you and what creeps into your system is a bothersome guilt conscience.

A lowered self-esteem is an inevitable consequence of yielding to peer pressure. Low self-esteem goes hand in hand with inferiority complex whereby an individual feels inadequate in the sense that they are not proud of who they are; they always strive to be like so and so. For instance, a lady student in campus from a humble background may resort to hooking up with a sugar daddy in a bid to keep pace with her girlfriends who are well up. If by any chance the sugar daddy withdraws his 'favours', the lady''s self-esteem is lowered twice as before'' ending up with a crushed spirit as normally her girl friends would disassociate with her.

A compromised personality is yet another fruit of

peer pressure. Personality encompasses a person''s values, beliefs, morals, norms and standards. Personality remains fairly constant throughout a person''s life. However, peer pressure has a great potential in interfering with ones personality. Take a case whereby a naturally polite and well-mannered youngster grooves with rude and mischievous peers; in the long run, the former is bound to be a spoiled character.

Last but not least, peer pressure vents towards exposure to health and mental problems. Consider a case of indulgence into sexual immoralities and drug abuse among peers; failure to abstain and/ or use of preventive measures against contracting Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) or unwanted pregnancies poses intense health and mental problems. The latter comes about due to stress which may advance to depression if proper advice and action is not effected. Similarly, abuse of various drugs such as tobacco, alcohol, bhang, cocaine and heroine among peers undoubtedly poses immense health and mental problems.

To sum up, it is important to highlight various ways through which one can overcome peer influence. Firstly, one should make a wise choice of friends. That is, ask yourself: how compatible are you in terms of behavior, likes and dislikes? Secondly, be assertive. This implies standing strong in your affirmative decisions; do not engage in anything you don't feel right doing. Finally, learn to let go of destructive company. If your peers' lifestyle conflicts with your desired conduct, drift away and live your life as the cost of regret is far much more than the cost of control.

Your precious life is worth moulding for the better; the choice is in your hands. Say No to peer pressure, say Yes to a happy and fulfilled future.

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