Peer Pressure
Sophie Meldrum
Peer Pressure - What is it?
Peer pressure is defined as the strong influence of a group who persuade members of that group to behave in the same way.
'It takes courage to be true to yourself' - E Cummings
Every day at school students like you make many decisions. These decisions can influence other students choices and behaviour. Other students can also have the same effect on you. Some of those influences can be positive but it's the negative influences you need to be aware of. Even though its natural to want to 'fit' in and be like your friends, it's not always the smart choice and it takes courage to be true to yourself.
'Following the crowd is risky, you might get lost in it' - Anonymous
When it comes to stealing, drinking or cheating it takes courage to say 'no' and make the right choice. When students place pressure on others to make them feel bad or do something they are uncomfortable with, it causes students to get into trouble, break rules and lie. Peer pressure can negatively affect students grades, ruin friendships and contribute to loss of a students self-esteem. By staying true to yourself and what you believe in, you know you're doing the right thing. Peer pressure can affect anyone at anytime but is most common in schools and social environments.
Peer pressure can present itself in many different ways, so stay alert. Be prepared!
Your peers can pressure you to do a range of different things at any time. For example, a peer can pressure you into cheating in a school assessment, lying, participating in an illegal activity, bullying someone or breaking a school rule. Peer Pressure can take many different forms, but the most obvious ways are via online social media, physical, mental and social. It's important to be prepared so that when a peer pressure situation arises, you have the courage to say 'no.'