Peer Pressure – Asrar Qureshi’s Blog Post #800

Peer Pressure – Asrar Qureshi’s Blog Post #800

Dear Colleagues!  This is Asrar Qureshi’s Blog Post #800 for Pharma Veterans. Pharma Veterans welcome sharing of knowledge and wisdom by Veterans for the benefit of Community at large. Pharma Veterans Blog is published by Asrar Qureshi on  WordPress, the top blog site. Please email to asrar@asrarqureshi.com for publishing your contributions here.

Photo Credit: Huy Chien Tran

Photo Credit: Ivan Samkov

Photo Credit: cottonbro studio

Peer pressure refers to the influence exerted by a person's peers or social group to conform to certain behaviors, values, or attitudes. It can be both direct, through explicit requests or demands, or indirect, through perceived social norms or expectations within a group. The children get exposed to peer pressure as soon as they start interacting with other children, at very tender ages. School exposure is the first major avenue of facing, feeling, and negotiating with the peer pressure in its many aspects. The new child finds that the older ones already have their associations and groupings, and that entering a group is not easy. The child also knows that she/he cannot survive alone and must get into some group by conforming to their rules. The peer pressure starts in earnest and continues for the rest of the life. 

Peer pressure is a tangible entity touching the lives of everyone. It offers several benefits which we shall talk about under Pros; it has several negatives which we shall discuss under Cons.

Pros of Peer Pressure

Social Acceptance - Peer pressure can offer individuals a sense of belonging and acceptance within a social group, which can contribute to their overall well-being and self-esteem. Our self-image is largely defined and dependent on what others perceive about us and express about us in various forms. It also motivates us to look even better which is a positive drive up to a point.

Motivation and Aspiration - Positive peer pressure can inspire individuals to set higher goals, strive for success, and work harder to achieve them. It can create a competitive environment that encourages personal growth and achievement. Teamwork is universally regarded as integral to big achievements, and it is the most favored form of peer pressure. Longevity in organizational stay is also attributed to peer pressure.

Skill Development - Peer pressure can push individuals to develop new skills, explore new interests, or engage in activities they may not have considered on their own. It can broaden their horizons and facilitate personal and social development. Technology spread can be largely attributed to peer pressure; the latest example is TikTok.

Cultural Integration - Peer pressure can influence individuals to adopt cultural norms, values, and practices. This can help them integrate into a new culture, adapt to social expectations, and develop a sense of identity within a specific community. This is applicable in all contexts; organizations, societies, and countries.

Risk Prevention - Peer pressure can discourage individuals from engaging in risky or harmful behaviors. Positive peer influence can promote healthy habits, discourage substance abuse, and encourage responsible decision-making. Going to gym regularly for young people and going to walk for elderly are everyday examples.

Cons of Peer Pressure

Negative Influence - Negative peer pressure can lead individuals to engage in risky behaviors, such as substance abuse, vandalism, or skipping school. They may succumb to peer pressure to fit in or fear social rejection. Addiction rarely starts individually; it is always under peer pressure and continues in the same way. Smoking, drinking, gambling start in the same way.

Loss of Individuality - Peer pressure can result in individuals compromising their own values, beliefs, or personal goals in order to conform to the group. This can lead to a loss of individuality and a lack of authenticity. The hippie movement of 1960s made everyone look and do the same thing, losing individual identities. Cults demand from worshippers to lose their identities, and so many lives have been destroyed by the cults.

Bullying and Exclusion - Peer pressure can manifest as bullying or exclusion when individuals are coerced into conforming or face consequences for resisting. This can result in emotional distress, social isolation, and a negative impact on mental health. Remember Orkut? The first popular social app? Many teenagers committed suicide because they were bullied so much, they could not handle it, and chose to die.

Poor Decision-making: Succumbing to negative peer pressure can impair individuals' judgment and decision-making abilities. They may make choices that they wouldn't have made otherwise, disregarding the potential consequences. In professional settings, people leave organizations as groups and damage their careers forever.

Unrealistic Social Standards - Peer pressure can create unrealistic expectations regarding appearance, material possessions, or social status. This can lead to insecurity, low self-esteem, and a constant pursuit of external validation. This is among the most damaging effects of negative peer pressure, when an individual starts seeking approval from the group at all times.

It's important to note that the impact of peer pressure can vary based on the individuals involved and the specific context. Recognizing the potential benefits and drawbacks of peer pressure allows individuals to make informed choices, seek positive influences, and develop strong decision-making skills.

While peer pressure has good points, some of which are mentioned above, but on the balance, it is likely to cause more harm. It is therefore necessary to understand it and address it.

Solutions to Address Peer Pressure Problems

Self-Awareness - Encourage individuals to develop a strong sense of self-awareness and personal values. This can help them make independent decisions based on their own principles rather than succumbing to external pressures. Wholesome personal development and character building also contribute to self-awareness.

Assertiveness and Communication Skills - Teach individuals effective communication and assertiveness skills, enabling them to express their opinions, set boundaries, and resist negative peer pressure confidently. It is not easy to tackle peer pressure when it comes full force, but much can be saved with assertiveness.

Positive Role Models - Promote the importance of positive role models who exhibit healthy behaviors and values. Encouraging individuals to surround themselves with supportive and like-minded peers can help reduce the influence of negative peer pressure. Heroes play a large role in creating positivity at large scale.

Education and Awareness - Provide education and awareness programs that highlight the consequences of negative behaviors influenced by peer pressure. This can empower individuals to make informed decisions and resist harmful pressures. Our education system is aimed at earning a degree and getting a job, it is not creating understanding and wisdom; these are necessary to stem the onslaught of peer pressure.

Support Networks - Establish support networks, such as counseling services, peer support groups, or mentoring programs, to provide individuals with resources and guidance in navigating peer pressure situations. Developed countries have made lot of progress on this front while we are still struggling.

Family Involvement - Encourage open communication within families and foster strong family connections. A supportive family environment can help individuals develop resilience and provide a solid foundation for resisting negative peer pressure. The family heads must contest negative traditions like mistreating girl children, not educating them, or marrying them too early.

Media Literacy: Promote media literacy skills to help individuals critically evaluate and challenge societal norms portrayed in media. This can reduce the influence of unrealistic or harmful social expectations.

It's important to remember that not all peer pressure is negative. Positive peer pressure can motivate individuals to pursue personal growth, healthy habits, and positive behaviors. The key is to recognize and address negative influences while fostering a supportive and empowering environment for individuals to make independent choices.

Concluded.

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