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Peer pressure is when a person does something they normally would not do in order to fit into or

impress a group.A peer group is usually made up of individuals of approximately the same age
and interests and teens look to peer groups to set rules for correct social behaviour. Many behave
in ways the group approves of in order to feel they belong.1
Its pretty common to want to belong and feel part of a group. Theres nothing wrong with that at all and
in fact having good friendships in life is one of the most important ingredients of happiness.
There is a down side to seeking out good relationships though. That desire to be part of something and
have good friends can put a lot of pressure on people to act in a certain way. When were influenced to do
something we wouldnt normally do, or stopped from doing something wed like to do, because we want
to be accepted by someone/a group, we start moving into peer pressure territory.

Peer pressure can show itself in lots of ways2 including:

dressing in a certain way

getting involved in particular activities

listening to particular music

decisions about using drugs and alcohol

decisions about who we date

choice about who were friends with

academic performance.
Peer groups have so much influence, especially with adolescents, because, nomatter how inappropriate it
seems to adults, belonging to a group really doesgive something significant to the young person. Peer groups
provide a placewhere children feels accepted, where they can feel good about themselves, andwhere their
self-esteem is enhanced. Some psychologists also point out thatlife become simpler when we conform to
expectations. Young people tend to gravitate toward other young people with the same problems and in the
same situations as themselves and where they feel they will be understood and accepted.There is a very, very

1 http://www.gspscp.ca/en/parents/peerpressure.asp last visited on august 10, 4


pm.
2 http://au.reachout.com/all-about-peer-pressure last visited on August 10, 2016

strong need to satisfy that thirst for unity and for acceptance. The feeling of belonging is a very powerful
force that can outweigh ties to church, school, family, or community.

In addition to the feeling of belonging and not being alone or socially isolated, some characteristics that peer
groups offer which make them attractive and that families may lack are: (1) a strong belief structure; (2) a
clear system of rules; and (3) communication and discussion about taboo subjects suchas drugs, sex, and
religion

criminal behaviour
Peer pressure is a reoccurring phenomenon in criminal or deviant behaviour especially, as it
pertains to adolescents. It may begin in early childhood of about 5years and increase through
childhood to become more intense in adolescence years
There are umpteen reasons on what can lead a teen to commit a crime, and more often than not it
is found that peer pressure plays a prominent role in it. Teenage is a stage when the individual is
developing and learning through exploration. They are young, inexperienced and yet to become
mature. Thereby, the possibilities of misjudging a situation and taking wrong decisions are
innumerable.
individuals become delinquent through association with people who are the carriers of criminal
norms and that criminal behaviour is learned within primary groups in particular, peer groups.
That is, Criminal behaviour in adolescents is as a result of social influence.
Often it is difficult to make the teen responsible for the criminal act they commit as they are not
yet fully evolved mentally to make the correct decision or use their discretion with the desired
understanding.
two of the major reasons behind teens indulging into criminal activities are as follows3;
ENVIRONMENT
Often in todays society crime is a part of the regular life. Like, there are cities where violence is an
everyday affair. Like for instance, there are scuffles, shootouts, gang wars and so on. Even domestic
crimes in myriad forms can prove to be a harmful and negative environment for the kid to grow up. Such
conditions enhance the chances of the teen to fall victim to commit criminal activities under peer pressure.
Besides such an environment also fosters the birth and functioning of peer groups that indulge in
violence.
BAD ROLE MODELS

3 http://www.indiaparenting.com/peer-pressure-in-teenagers/524_5002/how-canpeer-pressure-lead-to-crime.html last accessed on 10th august 2016

Usually teens follow the behaviours, look and acts of their role models. If the role model happens to be a
negative one, it is possible that the teen would indulge in crime either under peer pressure readily, or
commit it solo. As teens it is not easy for them to understand the implication of law and legal regulations
for certain acts, so they may misjudge the impact of the criminal offense right at the beginning. Peers
often instill a false belief that if they do such an act together, they can escape being caught.
EXTREME DEPENDENCE ON PEERS
If the peer group is a negative one, it is quite possible for the teen to get involved in criminal activities
easily. The first reason being that they might be bullied to become a member of the peer group as
otherwise, they might be isolated and labelled as uncool. So in order to fit in, they give in and become an
active participant. They also validate their ideas by the peer group and shape their thoughts as per the
dictates of the peer group
TYPES OF PEER PRESSURE;
Peer pressure can be broadly classifies into two types;
1. positive peer pressure
2. negative peer pressure

POSITIVE PEER PRESSURE


Peer pressure is a much misunderstood term, as people think that it can only
do damage to an individual. But the reality is far different. Peer pressure can
do wonders as is seen in many of the cases around the world.
Positive peer pressure is when a person is pushed into doing something
positive that he/she didnt have the courage to do or when an individual is
stopped by his/her peer group from doing something that was not in his/her
best interest. . Positive peer pressure usually contributes to a person doing
good and better things than he/she would normally do.
The benefits of positive peer pressure are as follows;

Helps a person overcome fear

Provides motivation and confidence

Encourages socializing and provides good advice

Avoids breaking the law, getting into trouble with parents, and hurting health.

NEGATIVE PEER PRESSURE

Negative peer pressure is when a persons peer group has negative effects on a him/her. It is
usually when a person tries to fit in with a wrong group of people or with a group which is not
exactly the same type as he/she actually is. Teenagers strive to fit in with their peers
as they begin to spend less of their free time with their families and more of
it engaged in activities with friends.
Consequences

Causes trouble with the law

Affects your health

Causes low self-esteem

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