Peer Pressure

Peer pressure is a part of everyday life. Whether it's pressure about where to eat lunch or about smoking a joint, it is all pressure. Peer pressure has both negative and positive impacts, depending upon the issue and circumstances.

One example of a negative impact of peer pressure is the rise of teenage smokers. As young adults, we want to be seen as "grown-up," "cool," and "mature." Our peers, the cool people at every school, all seem to smoke up a storm. Those cool people encourage you to try a cigarette. They tell you that you will become more popular, that it makes you feel good, that people will think you are more grown up; and teenagers, eager to please, accept that idea as the truth. The real truth is that smoking is not cool. 3,000 children start smoking every day, and as a result 1,000 of them will die early. How cool is that?

An example of a positive impact of peer pressure is schoolwork. A competitive environment enables everyone to do better. Teens work on homework and projects together, pushing one another to suceed. The work ethic learned in high school tends to continue on through the rest of your life. If there was no pressure to do well from your peers, would you worry about doing well? Probably not.

Peer pressure can be channeled in such a way that it creates a positive impact. However, the negative aspects are also great in number. Peer pressure is an issue that must be dealt with, no matter what the result.