The word "peer pressure" is not new to many of us and according to studies, it was shown that it is between the ages of 10-14 years that this feeling becomes more prominent because at that time, kids are often struggling with identity, acceptance and the rest, but in my country, it goes beyond this age bracket.
Peer pressure is the influence exerted by a group of people of similar age, social status and background on an individual, encouraging them to adopt certain behavioral patterns or values.
Now while this has its pros, it also has its cons because let's take for example, the friends around you are pilfering things at the store and are calling it "a cool thing" and you may not like what they do cause you've been trained to know that stealing is bad, but because you want to be amongst the "cool crowd" you find yourself been pressured into liking such a lifestyle.
What made me bring up this discussion is because many kids and adults have found themselves in a bind just because they succumbed to peer pressure and don't know how to get out of it. So I want to know; what has peer pressure made you do and for those who overcame it before they found themselves being a menace, what did you do? Let's relate.
Edit: if this is not the right board for this, I won't mind it being moved.
Teenagers are not the only ones who deal with peer pressure, adults are included too. But we can say that peer pressure can influence an individual in a positive and negative way, as you gave an example of a child being raised to know stealing is wrong but eventually he:/she got influenced or pressured into thinking it’s okay just to belong. This is how dangerous it can be, tasting the lifestyle which is being offered to you from peers finally turns to a lifetime’s hobby.
Back in school I once joined a group that usually skipped class, eventually I found out that it was a cult and didn’t want to leave at that moment to avoid called a nerd. Time passed I became so dull to the extent I failed the subject I really liked, seeing how they manipulated people made me more afraid and I decided to leave, but it took courage and help you know.
I came to realize where I came from and my values in life. Remembering my mentor made me redirect my path in life once again.
I believe surrounding yourself with friends who don’t pressure you to do wrong is really essential, you can seek a counselor or a trusted friend for help to overcome peer pressure, this can be a turning point.