“Choose to do things, because you want to, not because they told you or made you do it.”- De philosopher DJ Kyos
Every day, you and your friends make dozens of decisions, and your choices and behaviours are influenced by each other. It's natural for people your age to listen to and learn from those their own age. Peers naturally play a larger part in your life as you become more autonomous. You may spend more time with your peers than with your parents and siblings since school and other activities take you away from home. Your peers, on the other hand, can sometimes be the source of your worry. They may try to persuade you to do something you don't want to do, such as shoplifting, using drugs or alcohol, taking unsafe risks while driving a car, etc.
The pressure to conform (do as others do) can be strong and difficult to resist. Responding to peer pressure is part of human nature — but some people are more likely to give in, and others are better able to resist and stand their ground. People who are low on confidence and those who tend to follow rather than lead could be more likely to seek their peers' approval by giving in to a risky challenge or suggestion. People who are unsure of themselves, new to the group, or inexperienced with peer pressure may also be more likely to give in.
What is peer pressure?
Peer pressure is the power that members in the same social group hold over one another. It's also the phrase for the effect of this influence on a person's need to conform in order to fit in with the group. Peers are frequently mistaken for buddies, however, they can be anyone with a comparable status, such as those who are the same age, have similar abilities, or have the same social rank. While peer pressure can be beneficial in some situations (e.g., recognizing that your friends are studying more than you are as a motivator to work harder, noticing that your drinking is more extreme than your friends', and deciding to cut back), it can also lead you to do things you aren't sure about or that you don't believe are right for you.
Examples of Negative Peer Pressure:
Pressuring a friend to drink or try drugs
Encouraging a peer to fight or bully someone
Convincing a friend to skip school
Shoplifting or stealing.
Projecting a misleading/false image on social media.
Drawbacks of Negative peer pressure
At some point, almost everyone finds themselves in a sticky peer pressure situation. No matter how well you choose your friends or how well you think you know them, you'll have to make difficult and potentially unpleasant decisions sooner or later.
Peer pressure can have a negative impact on our mental health:
Anxiety and depression
Being in the company of people who push us to do things we don't want to do might make us feel worried and unhappy.
Distractions from academics
Because we're engaged in things we wouldn't ordinarily do or preoccupied with ideas about social pressure, peer pressure can sometimes cause us to lose sight of our priorities.
Arguments with family members
Peer pressure that is negative makes us feel horrible about ourselves, which might make us retreat from people we care about.
Changes in behaviour
Trying to fit in with a peer's norms may lead to someone acting and looking like someone else.
Strategies to combat peer pressure
When you're surrounded by people who share your values, preferences, and behaviours, managing peer pressure is usually not tough. It's critical to consider what matters to you, your values, and who you want to be. It's also a good idea to try to anticipate the implications of a decision.
Try the following tactics when faced with overt or indirect pressure to do something you're not convinced about:
Allow yourself to avoid individuals or situations that don't seem right, and to leave an uncomfortable situation. Set some limits for yourself. It's fine if you do what you think is best for you.
Recognize unhealthy dynamics: It is not acceptable for someone to pressurise, compel, or deceive you into doing things you don't want to do or to threaten you if you don't comply. Others should not mock, degrade, embarrass, or condemn you for your decisions. You have the option of asking others to cease acting in this manner, or you can choose to avoid spending time with people who behave in this manner.
Spend time with people who will accept your choices and will not put you under undue pressure to conform.
When you can't avoid individuals or events that make you feel stressed, employ the "delay tactic": Instead of responding right away, give yourself time to consider your options: "Let me think about it," "Can I get back to you?" or "Check back with me in an hour."
When you notice people being pressured, speak up for them. Bystander intervention (helping out when you witness someone in distress) can be a powerful method to show support and send a message. If confronting the person who is pressuring you seems uncomfortable, try diverting them or encouraging the person who is being pressured to do something else (e.g., "Hey, come to the lady's room with me" or "Let's go over there and take a selfie").
It's not always easy to reject negative peer pressure, but once you do, you'll feel great about yourself. You might also be a positive influence on your peers who share your feelings - sometimes all it takes is one person to speak up or take a different action to improve a situation. If you have the bravery to try something new or refuse to follow the crowd, your friends may follow you. Consider yourself a leader who is capable of making a difference. Remember that you can't (and shouldn't) please everyone or win everyone's approval. Accepting this can be difficult, but it is beneficial to attempt.
References
https://www.verywellfamily.com/negative-and-positive-peer-pressure-differences-2606643
https://www.fcps.edu/student-wellness-tips/peer-pressure
https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/peer-pressure.html
Kommentare