Peer Pressure
Do you think there are
influencers who may affect a person negatively or positively? There are a lot
of people influence people in so different ways like the close people to us,
such as family, friends and even the society . These people greatly influence
our decisions, thoughts and the way we act in life. One of the biggest
influences is peer pressure. Peer pressure is a silent force capable of
steering individuals toward actions they might otherwise avoid, highlighting
the complex interplay between social desires and personal choices. This
research will shed light on how peer pressure has a negative influence on
students.
First, peer
pressure can make students develop some harmful and bad habits such as bullying
behaviors, drinking alcohol, drugs and cigarettes use and negative body image,
which may cause a lot of harm to others and the surroundings community. Students
may adopt the behaviors of their peers to integrate or be accepted, even if
those behaviors are harmful. According to a study published in Developmental
Psychology: “In adolescence, the presence of peers increases the likelihood of
engaging in risky behaviors such as substance use and dangerous driving”
(Gardner & Steinberg, 2005).
Another
reason why peer pressure has a negative influence on students is that peer
pressure affects students’ self-esteem. Peer
pressure may lead students to be dissatisfied with what they have and to make
frequent comparisons between themselves and their peers, leading to a change in
their behavior, personality and their attempt to please everyone at the expense
of themselves. This can lead to a constant desire to get more or better,
leaving students feeling powerless because they do not have what others have.
Additionally, pressure to conform to peer standards creates feelings of
inferiority, leading students to seek affirmation through material possessions
or accomplishments. To elaborate, psychological pressures can influence
students to seek a certain social status or popularity among their peers,
making them feel nihilistic if they see themselves as not exceeding
expectations. “Peer pressure can significantly impact students’ self-esteem,
often leading to feelings of inadequacy or low self-worth” (Brown, 2012).
On the other
hand, some people believe that peer pressure has more advantages than
disadvantages. To clarify, peer pressure can encourage students to participate
in extracurricular activities and develop new skills. For instance, a student
may join the school band because their friends are also members, and in the
process, discover a passion for music. Another example is a student being
motivated to try out for a sports team because their peers are involved,
leading to improved physical fitness and social skills. A study indicated
that:” Peer pressure is
not always negative. Sometimes, it inculcates new hobbies, habits, attitudes
health conscience or a strong urge to succeed amongst people and where this
happens, it is positive.” (Adeyemi Raphael, 2024). Another study indicated that: “Peer pressure
can contribute to developing students’ communication and teamwork skills,
enhancing their overall social abilities” (Lewis, 2019). Thus, peer pressure
can play a major role in encouraging students to participate in various
activities, highlighting the importance of positive peer influence in
educational environments. However, despite these advantages, I firmly stand by
the position that peer pressure has more drawbacks than advantages.
In
conclusion, peer pressure can have both advantages and disadvantages influences
on individuals, particularly students. While it can encourage participation in
extracurricular activities and enhance the development of new skills, it often
leads to the adoption of harmful behaviors and negatively impacts self-esteem.
The pressure to conform to peer standards can lead to dissatisfaction,
comparison, and a constant desire for more, ultimately affecting students’
sense of self-worth. Thus, while positive peer influences exist, the harmful
effects of peer pressure on behavior and self-esteem outweigh its benefits.
