Influenced by peers

Negative influences are taking a toll on students in this contemporary world. There are dos and don’ts in society but if you have a negative peer group, what’s wrong will be taken as something right. Peer pressure occurs when groups of people coerce each other to go along with certain beliefs or behaviours. Students are, in a way, forced to take decisions based on others’ opinions and influence. Some students give in to peer pressure as they want to be liked or they are worried that other students will make fun of them if they don’t go along with the group. Others go along because they are curious to try something new. This could have either had a positive or a negative influence. If people have a negative peer group then they will be encouraged to skip classes, steal, cheat, use drugs and become involved in other risky activities. Sometimes it can affect major decisions in life as well. If one’s peer group takes a particular decision then everyone follows, meaning people do not pursue what they really enjoy. Whereas, positive peer pressure can be a force of good, which can change a youngster’s life. This occurs when someone’s peers try to influence him to do something positive, which affects his or her behaviour and attitude for the better. Sometimes, the main causes of peer pressure are related to age-appropriate behaviour. Adolescents develop a strong desire to fit in with their peers and be accepted by them. If peer pressure could work in a positiveway more often, then it would ultimately lead to a better future.

- The reader is a pupil and resident of Dubai