Essay Sample How to Resist a Peer Pressure

Educators, scholars, and parents have recently paid an increasing attention to the danger and potential consequences of peer pressure. Children and teenagers learn to interact within the groups, and they may feel insecure about their own position. They also have little understanding of themselves as personalities and may be easily influenced by their peers as a result. Research shows that peer pressure may have detrimental consequences for children, such as reduced self-confidence, poor academic achievement, and the adoption of dangerous habits and deviant behavior (Juzwiak, 2008). They may also feel the increased distance between them and parents, which ultimately leads to relationship problems. In this essay, I aim to discuss these consequences in detail and suggest some practical solutions for parents. To begin with, I would like to define the term ‘peer pressure.† According to the generally accepted definition, peer pressure is the overwhelming feeling of emotional pressure that a child experiences, which forces him or her to do the same things as others do to earn their respect and trust (Juzwiak, 2008). In other words, peer pressure is aimed at achieving conformity among the members of a particular group (e.g., a classroom, a group of friends, etc.). Children and teenagers can be aggressive and intolerant to those who differ from them, and they rarely respect cultural, gender, and social diversity. Therefore, children prefer to join the majority even to their own detriment only to feel secure and be accepted as a group member. Peer pressure may be strong and visible or mild and almost unobtrusive. However, both forms can have adverse effects on a child’s emotional and social well-being, researchers say (Juzwiak, 2008). Teenagers forced to give in to the peer pressure feel the lack of confidence because their personality traits, appearance, or habits are not accepted. It makes them feel that they are different, not normal. This low self-esteem may have long-term consequences for a child, affecting adult life and personal relationships. Sometimes, talented and capable students perform poorly because their peers think that it is â€Å"not cool† to study diligently. In some cases, students’ academics are affected simply because they spend too much time trying to become a member of their social group, and they simply have no time left to think about studying. It is critically important for teachers and parents to notice any changes in children’s academic performance, especially when gifted children suddenly lose the interest and demonstrate poor results. It is essential to determine whether peer pressure has become too overwhelming and try to talk to such children openly, without additional pressure and criticism. Peer pressure is often associated with bad habits. Children who want to become part of the group often adopt dangerous habits, such as alcohol or drug consumption, so there is indeed a reason for concern. Teens do not realize long-term consequences of their behavior at this stage yet, as all they want is to get the immediate positive response from their peers. I am convinced that parents should not punish their children for smoking or drinking but talk to them. Instead of dealing with the consequences, it would be more useful to explain the children the importance of being self, raise their self-esteem, and make them feel confident in any situation. Unfortunately, many parents are struggling with building trusting relationships with their children. Peer pressure complemented by the lack of parental support makes children feel lonely. They seek social relationships to fill this gap, and they are ready to do anything to be accepted by the group. I think that parents should spend much time with their children to prevent this situation and make sure that their kids are not driven away from their family members. Given the consequences of peer pressure described above, parents need to invest more time and efforts into building loving relationships with their children, as it will help the latter to feel confident and respected and eliminate the necessity of seeking acceptance elsewhere. This peer pressure essay sample focuses on the consequences of peer pressure. The author argues that reduced self-confidence, poor academic achievement, adoption of dangerous habits, and aggravated relationships with the family are the main effects of peer pressure, which parents should keep in mind when communicating with their kids.