Peers are someone whom we consider as an equal such as those belonging to our age group or those who belong to the same social status. They may be our friends, classmates or colleagues. As we spend a greater part of the time with them, they play a significant role in influencing our actions and behaviour. Sometimes they may even change our values. We in turn also influence and modify their behaviour. Such changes take place through what is known as peer pressure. Many people consider peer pressure as an issue with teenagers only; but it effect people of other age group too. However people are mostly concern with the effect it has on teenagers as they are at the stage where the peers matter a lot to them. They identify themselves with their peer as they face similar kinds of problems. So the need to be accepted in the same group is very strong during teenage life. Moreover, they are not matured enough to handle peer pressure. Generally people who have low self esteem, or are new in the group, are dependent on alcohol or drugs etc are at greater risk of getting under peer pressure.

Types of peer pressure

Based on the effects it has on the person, peer pressure can be either positive or negative. Positive peer pressure is when someone motivates a person to do something which is good for that person such as participating in some competition, performing better in the work, encouraging to get involved with clubs, charity works etc. It also includes pressure given to make a person break his bad habit. Positive peer pressure actually helps a person to explore new interest, reach higher standards, develop positive attitudes etc

On the other hand, negative peer pressure is when a person is compelled to do something that is harmful for him. It makes him adopt negative values and also alienate him from other people. For instance, some people start taking addictive substances under the influences of friends and colleagues, bunk classes, get involved in hooliganisms etc

Based on how it is done, peer pressure can be either spoken peer pressure or unspoken peer pressure. Most of the peer pressures are spoken type in which the peers communicate what their expectations are from that person. It can be done either in a friendly way by reasoning why’ it should be done’. It can also be done by teasing or challenging the person. For instance, if a person does not want to drink and others provoke him saying that ‘you can never do it! You are not bold enough to drink wine.’ He would drink just to show that he is capable of drinking. Another serious form of spoken peer pressure is bullying or threatening type in which the peers threatens to physically harm the person if something is not done according to their wish.

In case of unspoken peer pressure, nothing is said verbally but the peer exerts pressure by adopting different non verbal techniques. For instance, excluding someone who dresses or behaves differently from bonding; Or giving a certain look while interacting with him or her; Sometimes a person also feels compelled to follow his peers just by looking at how they are living. For instance, a person living in a locality where every family owns a luxury car or two may feel compelled to buy one; likewise when children see their friends playing with a particular kind of toy often ask their parents to buy the same types of toy for them too.

Reasons why some people give in to Peer Pressure

Though people can sense that they are being pressurized to do something against their wish, some of them still give in. Some of the reasons for giving in are as follows

• In most cases, people give in to the peer pressure so as to be accepted by the group.
• Some of course wants to try out new things. So, when they see their friends do it, they also follow them.
• Peer pressure is also likely to take place if one is in a new environment and is not sure about how one should behave in that new environment. In such cases, generally he would blindly follow what others do.
• Many of the people also give in when someone close to them suggest something and they could not refuse them.

How to deal with the peer pressure?

Peer pressure is something which we often face in our life. There will always be people giving you suggestions and trying to change your thoughts. When one is under peer pressure, it can be quite stressful affecting the day to day life. Some of the measures that can be taken up to avoid buckling under peer pressure are:

Set goals: Most of the people do not set goals for their professional or personal life. So if they see someone getting paid higher, owning cars, grand houses etc they automatically come under the pressure to achieve something like them. But if we set goals for ourselves keeping in mind our interest, our limitations, our talents etc then we focus our attentions on those goals. So even if someone else achieves some success in their field , we don’t end up with the feeling that we too have to achieve that. Getting inspired with other’s success is one thing but getting bogged down with that feeling is something else.

Keep company with like-minded people: Peer pressure can be reduced considerably if you seek the company of like -minded people. As like -minded people belief in same values, the chance of being pressurized to do something you are not comfortable is less. 

Learn to say no: One of the biggest reasons why most of the people are under constant peer pressure is their inability to say no to others. But we should remember that a timely and firm no can save lots of trouble later in life. We should be careful to be polite and tactful when refusing something.

Do introspection: before one blames others for compelling them to do something one should do an honest introspection of what one really wants and what are the values he or she believe in. Generally others cannot make us do something which we don’t belief in.

Be prepared: It also helps to be well prepared in advance. We can always anticipate under what circumstances one is likely to face the peer pressure. We can discuss those circumstances with family, friends or anyone who has more experience and prepare ourselves of how best to avoid it.