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Kayla Shields
Mr.Newman
English 101: Rhetoric
19 September 2014

Statement of Scope: Annotated Bibliography

Weve all gone through it, having to make the decision of choosing what your friends
want to do or doing what you know is right. Every day, a teenager is faced with the issues of
fitting in or being left out, otherwise known as peer pressure. Faced with choosing parties or
homework, alcohol and drugs or sobriety and happiness, giving in or staying away, each choice
has a different outcome. Although often times we know what the better choice for ourselves is,
we choose to follow our social groups in hopes of not being left behind. Although many believe
that fitting in with their peers is the key to living successfully, many fail to realize that the
pressures put on teens to fit in leads to unwise decisions and life altering actions.
This essay will explore the issues that arise when peer pressure is put on teenagers as they
are going through changes in their lives. As teenagers transition through the various changes in
their adolescent years, they are often posed this question: Do I go with the crowd or do I do what
I know is right? Sadly, because of the pressures peers put on teens to fit in, the wrong decision
is often made. I will examine the different issues that have been seen after a teen has sucumbed
to peer pressure and the desire to fit into what is considered cool. Also, I will the dangers and
issues that appear when teens make the wrong choice and give in. To continue, I will add in
details that argue my viewpoints. These topics will discuss positive peer pressure and the good
results that come with it. I will provide real life examples of teenagers destruction that has
coincided with their choice to give into peer pressure.
This selected bibliography includes a variety of sources that address peer pressure. Each
source brings its own unique viewpoint on peer pressure to the paper. Susan Bartells article "Peer
Pressure, Parent Pressure: The Unspoken Expectations of First-Time Mothers" addresses how
peer pressure affects teens and their parents equally. John H. Bishops article Why We Harass
Nerds and Freaks: A Formal Theory of Student Culture and Norms" describes the variety of
different social groups, and the different pressures each group holds to its members. Burns,
Andrew, Darling and Nancy's article "Peer Pressure Is Not Peer Influence" counters my
argument by stating that teens are not affected by peer pressure, rather, they are more likely to
fall to peer influence and do as they observe than what they are encouraged to do. Karen
Fannings article "Battling Peer Pressure" brings up the issues of letting peer pressre take over
your life and important ways to avoid it. The Marc, Craig, Herald, Calgary article Positive peer
pressure marks meaningful change" will discuss an alternative type of peer pressure, where it is

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used to influence others into doing good deeds. Altogether, these 5 sources will bring the
thepapertogeter d give a better understanding to the issues that arise when teens are put on the
spot and have to choose between what's right and what's and what is wrong.

Annotated Bibliography

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Bartell, S, Susan.. "Peer Pressure, Parent Pressure: The unspoken expectations of first-time
mothers." International Journal of Childbirth Education 1(2006):25. eLibrary. Web. 15 Sep.
2014. Susan Bartell discusses the issues peer pressure brings not only to teens but parents as
well. As people try to form identities , they are often brought up with the issues of choosing
where to fit in. For teens, its a social game Who brings the most popularity. Parents, however,
face the issues of peer pressure based on following who they think is parenting the best.
Bishop, John H., Bishop, Matthew., Bishop, Michael., Gelbwasser, Lara., al, Et.. "Why We
Harass Nerds and Freaks: A Formal Theory of Student Culture and Norms." Journal of School
Health 7(2004):235. eLibrary. Web. 15 Sep. 2014. John Bishops article " Why We Harass
Nerds and Freaks: A Formal Theory of Student Culture And Norms," he discusses cliques shape
our behaviors and personalities. In school, you often find different groups do not associate with
each other. . In his article he also discusses the difficulties that come with living up to your high
school status and the pressure it puts on teens to live up to their expectations.
Burns, Andrew., Darling, Nancy.. "Peer pressure is not peer influence." Education Digest, The.
01 Oct. 2002: 4. eLibrary. Web. 17 Sep. 2014. The co-written article "Peer Pressure Is Not Peer
Influence" discusses how teens are not influenced by peer pressure, rather peer influence. While
some may think we lean towards peer pressure, we are more likely to be influenced by our
surroundings than what we are told to do. We are more likely to do what is observed than what
we are told.
Fanning, Karen. "BATTLING Peer Pressure." Scholastic Scope. 08 Dec. 2003: 18. eLibrary.
Web. 17 Sep. 2014. Karen Fannings article " Battling Peer Pressure" discusses the importances
of avoiding peer pressure. Fannings gives tips for not allowing peer pressure to take over your

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life. Finding positive things to take up your time will disolve the need to sucumb to peer
pressure.
Marc, Craig, Herald, Calgary.. "Positive peer pressure marks meaningful change." Calgary
Herald. 15 Jul. 2014: D3. eLibrary. Web. 14 Sep. 2014. Craig Marc's article " Positive Peer
Pressure Marks Meaningful Change," discusses how some forms of peer pressure can be used for
a positive reason. He discusses that from experiences with certain people your views can change
and you can make a great impact on the world. By giving in to certain peer pressure, you can
allow new and better experiences to happen to your life.