Sample Peer Pressure Essay
People, mainly teenagers, give in to peer pressure for a variety of reasons. This can be their need to fit in with the right crowd, to belong to the right clubs and societies run by their friends and also because “everyone is doing it”. However, there are also times when teenagers give in to peer pressure because they do not wish to hurt another person’s feelings or because they do not know how to get out of a sticky situation. Resisting peer pressure can be difficult, especially if you have low self-esteem and lack self-confidence. However, peer pressure is not always a bad thing. There are also good things that occur with peer pressure. This essay is about the negative and positive aspects of peer pressure and what you can do to avoid negative peer pressure. Understanding the positive and negative effects of peer pressure can be extremely beneficial.
Most often, when we talk about peer pressure, we always consider its negative aspects.
However, peer pressure has its positive aspects too. Peer pressure that helps you with your life is positive peer pressure. This occurs through a mentor, teacher or a parent and even a very wise friend. For example, a friend who advices you on staying away from an abusive boyfriend is exerting peer pressure in a good way. In addition, a group of friends who exert pressure on you to join a book club is making a positive impression on you as this encourages you to read. A teacher who teaches you the value of education is also providing positive peer pressure. Positive peer pressure has many benefits. It helps you become a better person and helps bring a positive change to your life. It helps cultivate good habits and give up some of your bad habits. Good friends can help you do many good things. They can exert pressure on you to avoid drugs and alcohol, stop smoking, respect others, work hard and be nice to others.
The most salient feature with negative peer pressure is the cultivation of bad habits.
Negative peer pressure is also when others around you – mainly friends – force you to do things you know are bad and would otherwise not consider doing. This can be small things, such as, bullying someone, hurting an animal or daring someone to do something that he/she is unable to do. These small things can become extremely large things and can have dire repercussions later in life. You may be pressured by your peers, during your teenage years, to start smoking. This can be either tobacco or marijuana. Either is harmful to your health, and if you give in to this kind of peer pressure, before you know it, you will be a chain smoker or a drug addict. Negative peer pressure can cause you to lose your identity completely. You can change the way you dress, behave etc. to suit others’ requirements that before long, you will not know who you are.
Peer pressure is not only exerted by friends. Peer pressure is also exerted by siblings.
Most often, younger siblings follow the example of older siblings. The most common habit cultivated through sibling peer pressure is smoking. Many adolescents pick this habit so that they

can become just like their older siblings. Therefore, it is up to older siblings to ensure that they cultivate good habits so that they can be good role models for their brothers and sisters.
You do not have to give in to negative peer pressure. However, you should give in to positive peer pressure. When you encounter any form of negative peer pressure, just say “no”. It may be hard to do; however, it is extremely beneficial in the long run.