The Effects of Peer Pressure - Essay Example

Individuals feel obligated to follow these components. This in turn causes peer pressure. Peer pressure is beneficial to a certain degree, but its negative impact is more obvious. The part of society which is most susceptible to the impact of peer pressure is teenagers (Treynor 108). This paper will look at both the negative and positive effects of peer pressure on individuals. Negative Effects When an individual is not fond of a specific notion or when they do not have a liking toward a specified idea, it is apparent that they will not like to adopt it.

Nevertheless, this is their peer group, which may oblige them in engaging in activities they dislike. An individual will not be contended to engage in what you do. Moreover, an individual will not be successful in the activity. Giving way to peer pressure in making significant decisions in your life can make you sad. For instance, choosing a sport or taking up a field only because your colleagues do so, without regard to what your interests are, can only make a person discontented.

Bad habits are also developed due to peer pressure. Peer pressure compels an individual to engage in activities that he is not comfortable in. This can make a person embrace a specific form of lifestyle, even if the individual doe not wants to (Spear and Kulbok 84). For example, a teenager may not enjoy consuming alcohol or going to parties daily, but due to the power of peer pressure, a teenager may transform into a complete party being. Similarly, the teenager may be turned from an individual who does not consume alcohol to a complete drunkard.

There is a large number of teenagers who abuse drugs against their desire, largely because their peers compel them to abuse drugs. On numerous occasions, peer pressure has been the cause generating drug addiction. It may be asserted that at this delicate period, teenagers are not aware that they are damaging their lives by conforming to peer pressure activities. Individuals also experience a loss of identity due to peer pressure. Tremendous peer pressure may make an individual do what his peers deem suitable.

This is evident when a person follows his peers without question and adopts their music, taste in fashion, mode of dressing, and way of life as a whole. A person is compelled to do and like what is regarded as others’ preferences. This makes a person lose his conduct and originality of thought. Positive Effects Peer pressure enables individuals to adopt decent habits. Peer pressure gives an individual the opportunity to reflect on himself. Peers may be a source of upright teachings and encourage an individual to follow these upright teachings.

This gives people the opportunity to transform their lives for the better. Observing the way others perform their activities may assist an individual bring a constructive change in the way they perceive events. If a person can pick discerningly, peer pressure can push the person towards something incredible. For instance, if a student is aware that a number of his colleagues have formed a study group, he will also be enticed to join the study group (Spear and Kulbok 89). It also enables exposure to the universe. The way of life and choices of peers gives a person insight into events surrounding the world.