Do your peers, i.e. your classmates, ever pressure you to do things? Sometimes it can be for the good, but sometimes they can also push you to do the wrong thing. So today we'll talk about what exactly this 'pressure' or influence is, and how we can successfully deal with it. This is an important topic not only for the little ones, but also for you, the young ones, and for your parents.
What is Peer Pressure?
Simply put, 'Peers' are other people your age. That means people like your school friends, classmates, or neighbors your age. So, when these people think you should behave a certain way, or try to get you to do something, that's what we call peer pressure .
Sometimes, even if your friends don't directly influence you, you might want to be like them. It's normal to feel like we should all be the same. Because who wants to be alone, right? We all want to belong to a group of friends, to work together with them. It's human nature.
There's nothing wrong with liking what your friends and classmates like, and doing what they do, but only if you feel that those things are really right for you . But, the best thing about all of this is to be yourself. Sometimes it doesn't matter if it makes you different from others. Your identity, your own way, is what matters. It's much more valuable to build something of your own than to imitate.
How do your friends influence you?
Friends can influence each other simply by spending time together. You learn things from them, and they learn things from you. It's natural to listen to and learn from other people your age. Think about it, you spend most of your day with your friends. So their behavior, their conversation, their way of dressing, their likes and dislikes affect you without you even knowing it.
Friends can influence you in many ways. For example, you may see the latest fashions that your classmates are wearing, like them, and start wearing them yourself. Similarly, your friends may see what you are doing and start doing the same things. This goes both ways.
There are positive influences too.
Friends are not only a bad influence. There are also good influences . Think about it this way. Maybe a friend in your science class teaches you a way to easily remember the planets of the solar system. That helps you a lot with your studies. Or, you see a friend in your cricket team playing with great discipline, respecting others, and accepting defeat, and you try to be like that friend. That also shapes your character.
Also, think about it, maybe you tell your friends about a great book you just read, and they'll be encouraged to read it too. Then everyone will improve their knowledge. Things like this are good, right? If you see a friend of yours getting up early in the morning and studying, you might want to do the same. Or maybe your classmates are getting together and raising money to help a poor child. This is called Positive Peer Pressure .
But there can also be negative influences.
However, friends can also influence each other in a negative way. They may try to pressure you to do something they know is wrong . This is what we often think of when we think of peer pressure.
For example, imagine that some kids at school are trying to get you to skip class with them. You might say, "Don't go to history class today, let's go see a movie." Or, someone on your soccer team is trying to pressure you into treating another player badly and telling you never to pass to him. You might say things like, "He needs to be taught a lesson."
Another time, a kid from your village calls you to buy something from a shop with it. He tries to persuade you by saying, 'It's a small thing, no one will see.' Imagine, your best friend calls you to smoke a cigarette, saying, 'Let's try it for a while, no one will know, this is the fun.'
What are you doing?
Will you give in to that influence and join them? Or will you walk away from it because you know it is wrong?
Sometimes it's easy to know what's right, but it's hard to do it . Thinking about these things in advance can help you prepare to do the right thing. Plus, when you do the right thing, you can set a good example for your friends.
Why do some children succumb to these influences so easily?
Some children succumb to peer pressure because they want to please others, or because they think it will be easier for them to fit in and join the group. Some fear that if they say no to this, others will ostracize them, laugh at them, or kick them out of the group. This is a very common feeling, especially at a young age.
Others succumb to curiosity. Maybe they want to try something new that others are doing. There are those who think, 'Everyone else is doing it, so why can't I? What will happen if I try it a little?' and then do it even though they know it's wrong.
Another thing is that sometimes children who are not confident in themselves, who do not have the strength to stand up for their own opinions, easily succumb to such influences. They develop a weak attitude like, 'Oh my, let's do it because they say so'. When they do not understand their own value , they are more likely to quickly succumb to the opinions of others. When they lose their understanding of who they are and what their limitations are, they have to face this situation.
So how do you say 'no' to these influences?
Okay, now let's see how we can say no to these unwanted peer pressure and stay safe from them. Keeping these in mind will help you a lot. These are not just tips, they are things you can put into practice.
1. Know exactly what is right
First, understand what is right and what is wrong according to your conscience . Ask yourself, ‘Is this really right to do? Will it harm me or others?’ In most cases, you already know the answer. If you know in your conscience that something is wrong, you need to have the strength not to do it. When you know what is right, it is easier for you to stand firm in that opinion. No matter what anyone says, you need to be able to think, ‘No, I can’t do this, this is wrong, and my parents will feel sorry for me.’
2. Find a friend to stay with you.
Having at least one other friend who is willing to help you say 'no' is a great strength. This will reduce the impact of peer pressure to a great extent . Imagine, when a group of people are trying to pressure you to do something wrong, how great would it be if your friend sat next to you and said 'no, we won't do that, it's not a good thing'? It's really great to have friends who support you and stand by you when you don't want to do something. Friends like that are true friends.
3. Help a friend
Maybe you see a friend of yours who is having a hard time saying 'no' to this kind of influence. Maybe he or she is scared. Then you can help that friend. Say, 'I'm with you - let's go.' Or, say, 'Let's not do this, this is not a good thing.' When you say that, that friend will also feel very strong. When you help someone else, you become strong too.
4. Get out of there.
If you are faced with this kind of pressure when you are alone, there are still things you can do. If you know that some friends are constantly pressuring you to do wrong things, you can avoid them . If they talk you into doing something wrong, say, 'No, brother/sister/brother, I can't, I have other things to do' and walk away. You don't have to give a reason for it. Just say 'no' and leave. Even better, hang out with other friends and classmates who will give you good company, respect your opinions, and encourage you to do good things.
5. Seek advice from an adult
Sometimes these pressures can be hard to bear. You may even feel threatened. In such a case, seek advice from an adult you trust. Talk to your mother, father, one of your brothers, a sister, a teacher, or a counselor at school . This will give you a lot of comfort. They will also help you prepare for the next time you face such pressures. Since they have more experience in life than you, they can give you good advice, even about aspects of your life that you may not be aware of. Speak up without fear.
Positive Peer Pressure
As we've talked about before, peer influence isn't always a bad thing. In fact, it can be very powerfully used for good things. For example, friends can influence other kids to be kind, fair, and friendly. Imagine, someone in your class helps a new kid, and the others see it and start helping that kid. How great is that? Or, the whole class gets together and does a project to beautify the school garden. Everyone else joins in the good work that one or two people start.
In fact, when kids come together as a group, they can motivate each other to do the right thing! Sometimes, even good things that you think you can’t do alone can be done when you get together with your friends. For example, if you’re feeling lazy studying for an exam, and a group of friends are having a group discussion, you might want to join in, right? That’s what positive influence is. So, you can be a positive influence on your friends.
The most important things for you to remember (Take-Home Message)
So, this (Peer Pressure) or the influence from friends is something that affects all of our lives to some extent. The most important thing is to recognize these influences and face them intelligently. Keep these things in mind.
- Be yourself: Rather than trying to be like others, live your own life, true to yourself. That's where your value lies.
- Choose the right thing: Listen to your heart. If you feel something is wrong, be strong enough not to do it.
- Don't be afraid to say 'no': Saying 'no' to something wrong is not a sign of weakness, it is something that shows your strength, the stability of your character.
- Surround yourself with good friends: Surround yourself with friends who help you with good things, respect your ideas, and encourage you.
- Ask for help: When you feel overwhelmed or have a problem that you can't handle alone, never hesitate to ask for help from a trusted adult.
Ultimately, you are the one who makes the decisions in your life. May you find the strength to choose the right thing, believe in yourself, and be happy, without succumbing to peer pressure! You can do it!
` Peer influence, peer influence, how to say 'no', good friends, temptation to do wrong, self-respect, adult advice
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