The Effects of Peer Pressure in High School

Peer Pressure

 

        A person’s age is arguably the stage of life where peer pressure is most pronounced which in turn pushes a person to do things they wouldn’t have otherwise done like trying drugs etc., or risk exposing themselves to other uncertain behaviors. Such actions can have severe adverse effects on their future consequences such as addiction, illegal activity, and loss of opportunities that are likely to alter their life’s trajectory in its entirety. Therefore, it becomes crucial to learn how peer pressure affects the behavior of young people in particular, especially where the desire to be one among the crowd seems more tempting than anything else. By understanding this, we can prevent the negative effects of adopting the mentality of doing anything for the sake of acceptance.  

The other type of peer pressure that most teenagers experience is the feeling of going through the teenagers. It is a phase in life that every individual faces, and in most cases, makes decisions that tend to transform their life completely. At this age, the pre-frontal cortex is still not fully developed and is responsible for reasoning, controlling urges, and developing self-control which makes teenagers much more malleable. That weakness often encourages adolescent to do dangerous things like consuming drugs, drinking alcohol, and even crimes to be accepted by their mate. As stated in the article, “Tackling Peer Pressure” which was published in The HoofBeat, a whopping 90% of teenagers have to deal with peer pressure, and the effects are alarming: Stress has led to over 80% of American teens trying cigarette smoking, more than 75% trying out alcohol and as much as over 21% turning out to be recreational drug users.

               The possible aftermath of succumbing to peer pressure can be extremely serious. Many teenagers turn to drugs or get in trouble with the law, and in some cases, these kids end up in jail, trying to escape their problems. These aftereffects tend to crush future goals and opportunities. In addition, besides legal and social consequences, the need to fit into the group also derives adverse effects on the growth of the youths, which could eventually end up in broken families, lowered intellectual development, raised stress levels, and increased cases of depression. The aftermath tends to rush into young adulthood and making it much harder for long-term overall well-being to take effect. In high school, the effect of peer pressure is not often just a matter that will be dealt with later; it can take an immediate toll. Peer pressure can drive teenagers to harm themselves, skip class, and cheat on exams, thereby injuring their personal lives and their education, as Children’s Health explains in their article “Helping teens deal with peer pressure”. In short, peer pressure has an immensely negative impact on a teenager's life and makes it difficult for them to recover and eventually succeed.

For parents and guardians, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Poor decisions made during adolescence can have lasting effects on a teens’ future, family, and well-being. That’s why staying involved, fostering open communication, and reinforcing strong values are critical. By addressing issues early and equipping teens with the tools to resist peer pressure, parents can help them avoid these pitfalls and grow into responsible, independent adults.

You are probably saying "What's the big deal, every teenager today has smoked or drunk at least once, and this is nothing new." Whatever was more prevalent during your adolescent years speaks by comparison about the stakes involved in today's state of affairs. This is not simply matters concerning addiction, legal troubles, and long-term health challenges; one cannot delegate these matters into attitudes or beliefs. It is worth keeping in mind that such actions will have consequences that far outweigh any temporary thrill or occasional feeling of belonging. It must be admitted, however, that peer pressure is not always a bad thing. Positive peer pressure exists, as in the kind of pressure that motivates you to be your best self often without your realization. This type of peer pressure came in the form of friends encouraging one another to achieve their goals whether by excelling in studies, getting in good sports practice or simply becoming better human beings. The surge from peer allegiance hints at a collective progression. Friends who press themselves to improve provide support and constructive advice and inspire one another to move outside their comfort zones to try a new hobby, embark upon difficult challenges or take an exciting opportunity. This makes positive peer pressure a mighty aid in individual growth and success.

Peer pressure isn’t just a modern problem, it’s a timeless challenge that has taken on new forms in today’s culture. From social media trends to group dynamics, the pressures young people face is more pervasive than ever. But the consequences remain the same: addiction, jail, and lives derailed by bad decisions. As parents, grandparents, and mentors, it’s our responsibility to guide the next generation, teaching them the value of independence and critical thinking. By sharing wisdom and being present, we can help them recognize the dangers of following the crowd and encourage them to forge their path.