New Blog Subject

Quarter two is about to start. Along with the new quarter, I am going to make a few changes to my blog. First, My blog is going to have a more specific task and not be so broad. Instead of random posts about nothing specific, I will blog about Edgar Allan Poe and Shakesphere ( not sure on the spelling but you get the point). In english class we now have reading time on Fridays. Also, you miht have noiced the new background. I think it fits better. I also have another blog for human geography. The URL is http://jcblogging18.blogspot.com/. Check it out and tell me what you think.

Peer Pressure Research Paper

Peer Pressure

            Peer pressure has been a very controversial topic over the recent years. Over the years the media has transformed this issue into a topic that is discussed almost every day. A lot of people are sometimes misinformed about peer pressure because as always the media twists the facts just enough to make people believe what the media wants them to. The media has gotten people to believe that peer pressure is all bad and that only certain people deal with it. These statements are only half true. Peer pressure can be used positively or negatively depending on what the situation is.

            Most people don’t know exactly what peer pressure entails. This is how it can be easy for someone’s idea of peer pressure to convince people what they think it is and not the true definition. Peer pressure is when a person feels pressured to do something, act a certain way to fit into a certain group of people. A fact most people don’t know is that peer pressure effects all ages including adults. For example, adults will dress a certain way so they will feel like they fit into a group. Most peer pressure occurs when people are trying to impress their friends.     “Peer pressure occurs when an individual experiences implied or expressed persuasion to adopt similar values, beliefs, and goals, or to participate in the same activities as those in the peer group.” (World of Health)

      Some people don’t know how peer pressure effects people. The effect of peer pressure varies with age. Peer pressure effects all ages but it peaks during teenage years. The reason it peaks during teenage years is because people are very socially active at that time in their life. Peer pressure is not avoidable because everyone experiences it in their lifetime. Peer pressure can only be resisted. Peer pressure resistance declines as people are in their teenage years. Peer pressure also effect genders differently.  “Peer pressure is associated in adolescents of all ethnic and racial backgrounds with at-risk behaviors such as cigarette smoking, truancy, drug use, sexual activity, fighting, shoplifting, and daredevil stunts.” (World of Health)

            Peer pressure can be used in a positive way. It all depends on how it is being used. If a group gets good grades people in the group will want to get good grades. Hygiene can also be a positive way. If people in a group have good hygiene then others will keep themselves healthy. A person needs to hang out with the right people to make peer pressure positive. In some states justice systems are using teen jury’s to try to use peer pressure positively. They feel that if a teen is judged by people their age they will be more embarrassed about what they did. They are trying to make the defendant not want to have to face a teen jury again. “Teens who succumb to that pressure, for example, are often portrayed in the media as more likely to experiment with illegal drugs, consume alcohol, break the law or engage in other risky behavior” (Teen Courts)

            A popular belief is peer pressure leads to drugs smoking and other bad things. Many teens have fallen into drugs and smoking because they were pressured to by their peers. This all depends on who the teens hang out with. Teens need to have good, positive friends to not fall into this kind of pressure. Teens should choose their friends wisely to make sure they are not negatively influenced. Also teens should try to work on resisting negative peer pressure and not resisting positive peer pressure. 

            Another popular belief is peer pressure makes people do things that they don't want to do. Teens don’t have to do what their friends tell them to do. They can find new friends if they are being pressured too much. No one can make them do something they don’t want to do. It is the teen’s choice to act a certain way. "There is emerging evidence that a youth's social network may be uniquely relevant and influential” (Friends can).

            Peer pressure can be used in a positive way if used properly. Teens must know what the difference between good and bad peer pressure. They also must have a good influence from friends. The effects of peer pressure vary from person to person. The media is incorrect to label peer pressure as bad because it can be used positively. Peer pressure can’t be used in a negative way if teens are aware of the surrounding situations.  

           

  Sources Used:

"Friends can feast on each other's company." USA Today [Magazine] May 2010: 9. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.

"Peer pressure." World of Health. Gale, 2007. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 28 Sept. 2010.

"Teen Courts." Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 10  Mar. 2006. Web. 22 Sept. 2010.