By Ipinnaiye Opeyemi
Enitan had not taken alcohol before but was forced to when she hung out with her friends; the fear of being different in the group led her to taking alcohol which destabilized her. After that encounter, she vowed never to taste alcohol again.
This is an example of peer pressure, there is this assumption that peer pressure affects mostly young people but adults encounter peer pressure directly or indirectly. In the early 90s, the trend was for many families in my church to buy Mercedes Benz cars, if you did not have this brand in your fleet of cars you were not considered to be socially affluent.
Peer pressure is the influence of a social group on an individual; it is social pressure by members of one’s group to take certain actions, adopt certain values or otherwise conform in order to be accepted. It tends to drive individuals to do things they would not normally do.
In some cases, peer pressure could make a positive impact in the life of an individual but at times peer pressure is more associated with negative consequences. Peer pressure comes in various forms, it is very important to be assertive; this is a very important life building skills which if applied in our daily activities can help handle peer pressure.
It is always advisable to associate with friends that will make a positive impact in your life. If you find yourself in the same situation I found myself while I was in the university days where my room mates partied, drank and smoked, will you join the band wagon solely because you do not want to be called names? You need to stand up for what you are and believe in, place a high priority on your values.
Picture your goals and examine the consequences of yielding to peer pressure as these may hinder the achievement of your goals.
Peer pressure can be positive if used correctly, one way of avoiding peer pressure is to be your own person. Avoid the trap of conforming to other people’s opinions and ideas especially if you feel these are morally wrong.
If you cannot handle peer pressure, steer clear of company that would coerce you to do things that will undermine your self-esteem.
Enitan had not taken alcohol before but was forced to when she hung out with her friends; the fear of being different in the group led her to taking alcohol which destabilized her. After that encounter, she vowed never to taste alcohol again.
This is an example of peer pressure, there is this assumption that peer pressure affects mostly young people but adults encounter peer pressure directly or indirectly. In the early 90s, the trend was for many families in my church to buy Mercedes Benz cars, if you did not have this brand in your fleet of cars you were not considered to be socially affluent.
Peer pressure is the influence of a social group on an individual; it is social pressure by members of one’s group to take certain actions, adopt certain values or otherwise conform in order to be accepted. It tends to drive individuals to do things they would not normally do.
In some cases, peer pressure could make a positive impact in the life of an individual but at times peer pressure is more associated with negative consequences. Peer pressure comes in various forms, it is very important to be assertive; this is a very important life building skills which if applied in our daily activities can help handle peer pressure.
It is always advisable to associate with friends that will make a positive impact in your life. If you find yourself in the same situation I found myself while I was in the university days where my room mates partied, drank and smoked, will you join the band wagon solely because you do not want to be called names? You need to stand up for what you are and believe in, place a high priority on your values.
Picture your goals and examine the consequences of yielding to peer pressure as these may hinder the achievement of your goals.
Peer pressure can be positive if used correctly, one way of avoiding peer pressure is to be your own person. Avoid the trap of conforming to other people’s opinions and ideas especially if you feel these are morally wrong.
If you cannot handle peer pressure, steer clear of company that would coerce you to do things that will undermine your self-esteem.
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