The Pros and Cons of Peer Pressure

Many Teenagers have to go through peer pressure either in middle school or high school. Peer Pressure can be negative or positive depending on whom you hang out with. Peer Pressure works for the desire to be accepted by your peers it’s the strongest motivating force during adolescence. Peer pressure changes many people lives it can become problematic as children grow seeing their peers as role models. Teens follow the crowd and if that means drinking and being known as “cool” and “fun” then that is what they will do. When people hear peer pressure they think of negative influences such as drugs, alcohol, teen pregnancy and how that all can affect you in the future. Peer pressure is words of encouragement, criticism and persuasion; it can have a huge impact on your physical and emotional health. Most teenagers get pressured into using drugs and drinking alcohol by their peers. Did you know that 62% of undergraduates use drugs and alcohol under pressure? For many people having the support from their peers is more important than food or shelter (Rafenstein 29-31).

Drugs or alcohol can cause you to lose everything you possible worked hard for. Some drugs can cause health disorders like cancer, heart disease and respiratory disease. Drugs and alcohol use is higher in males than females due to acceptability by peers. Teenagers are likely to smoke due to pressure from their friends than smoke with other ethnic groups. Students own smoking habits and behaviors are related to social influences “(Tobacco use; Peer Pressure to Smoke Depends on Ethnicity).” Drugs and alcohol impair your judgment; teens that are open with their parent are more likely to resist peer pressure to use drugs but as teens mature they rely less on parents and more...

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