Do you remember that one time when you participated in something you knew wasn’t right just because “everyone else at school was doing it”? That is called peer pressure.
Many people often think of peer pressure as someone verbally pushing you to do something you don’t want to do, similar to bullying. However, for the most part, it occurs internally, and there are various ways to avoid succumbing to such pressure.
The desire to fit in, be “popular,” or appear “cool” is a phase that many kids experience, during which they may do anything to feel included. Over time, this can develop into an unhealthy habit, leading them to engage in rebellious behavior and risky activities.
I asked my interviewee, “Are there ways to avoid peer pressure? If so, how?”
He replied, “Yes, there are many strategies to resist peer pressure. You can distance yourself from peers with bad intentions, be confident enough to say ‘no’ when necessary, and set strict boundaries while staying true to yourself.” Giovanni shared his insights.
Experiencing pressure from others can lead to an identity crisis. From what I understand, individuals going through an identity crisis often adopt identities or belief systems due to a lack of personal exploration and difficulty in self-reflection.
Although peer pressure is generally seen as a negative influence, it can also have positive effects, such as encouraging you to complete homework, be punctual, or make good decisions while spending time with friends and family.
From my personal perspective and experiences, I can affirm that there are significant differences based on who you choose to surround yourself with daily. I’ve learned to be confident and smart with my decisions; remember, you are who you surround yourself with.
For example, if Joy invites you to a house party to drink because she and her friends have sneaked some alcohol from their parents, would you agree? Please don’t.
On the other hand, if Joy invites you to a house party to play games, enjoy a night swim, and talk about school drama, that could be a different experience altogether. Just because the school’s popular group throws huge parties, smokes every weekend, and breaks rules does not make them cool. There are many ways to have fun that do not involve making poor choices. I’m not saying to isolate yourself, but maybe try being the best version of yourself to positively influence your own peers.
