Abby Botan
Contributing Writer
“When I think of peer pressure,” said Kim Edwards, “I think of someone trying to convince the other to pursue in some things whether it be drugs or alcohol or maybe even trying to fit in.”
Edwards said when she thought of peer pressure, she thought of it as “something we need to end.”
“Be yourself; don’t let people make you do anything you don’t want to,” Edwards said, about what advice she’d give to someone being pressured.
As a high schooler herself, Edwards never experienced peer pressure. If she did, she resisted. She wasn’t one to mold herself to fit in a specific crowd.
Sophomore Brooklyn Childs described peer pressure as, “when your ‘friends’ tell you to do things that you don’t necessarily want to do.” She said she doesn’t feel bad for those people who decide to do dumb things due to peer pressure.
“The main cause for peer pressure is someone trying to fit in,” Childs said. “My advice for someone being peer pressured is to do what you think and what feels right.”
Peer pressure can have an impact on a teenager’s life.
Peer pressure is when a group or a single person subtly persuades the other to believe in a specific behavior or beliefs. When most think of peer pressure, they think of someone being persuaded to do drugs, to try liquor, or to have sex. Nearly 50 percent of adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 get pressurized to have sex and a relationship when they aren’t ready, according to rocketswag.com.
One office staff member who requested not to be identified said, “At a grade school age, my family moved from South City to the County. Things in the county were much different than those in the city insofar as social status being an important factor with girls of this age. Many girls were given a parent credit card to shop and buy whatever they wanted.”
“ I did not have this advantage but learned to sew and made all my own clothes including my prom dresses during high school. I worked this to my advantage in all that I do now, and that has taught me various skills I may not have acquired. I have become resistant to ‘peer pressure’ and have learned much in relationships with others,” the staff member said.
“There is peer pressure from the toddler age to the business world. There are different examples and degrees of peer pressure at these levels, and perhaps the 13-18 age range may experience this more as they transition from young adult to adult and day to day issues becomes competitive at this age group,” the office member said. “By the time one reaches 18, they have matured and begin to form their own character to enter into the business world or pursue their college career.”
The office member’s advice for someone going through peer pressure is to, “Consult a person with whom you have confidence in. Explain the situation to them and weigh the factors of the answers. Get various opinions from friends, relatives and/or any one in a professional field. There may be excellent advice given or advice not fitting the given situation. Listen and weigh the answers and suggestions.”
Pam Warmbrodt, Pathway Center teacher, said, “Peer pressure is one of the most difficult things high school students have to deal with.” Warmbrodt explained, “Students feel that they have to act/be a certain way to fit in with peers.”
Warmbrodt said, “The only person you have to deal with is yourself. It comes with maturity.”
“First step, go to a trusted adult. Second step, set goals for the future. Final step, make the right choice ultimately right for you,” Warmbrodt advised persons going through peer pressure.
