Peer pressure is a sensation that has been around for centuries, creating effects in our society in many different ways. It is the influential force that can create and affect our behavior, and decision-making. However, in recent times, the negative effects of peer pressure have become more noticeable, leading to several social difficulties such as prostitution, ritual killings, drug addiction and others.
These days prostitution have been called the ‘Hock-up’ where those who need sexual satisfaction make contact with females through the mobile app or personal contact. Young girls who are influenced by their peers often engage in prostitution as a means of making money and standing high in social class. This behavior is harmful and also has negative implications for society.
In some cases, peer pressure has pushed most females who wants to look different, flashy or sexier into engaging in breast augmentations, butt (Butocks) Lift Procedures, following the current societal trends of females who have huge boobs and bottom on social media, which poses serious damage to their health.
Another social issue that has been linked to peer pressure is the use of human blood for fetish money making purposes simply knowns as ‘Ritual killing’ which mostly occurs in the africa.
Some individuals are forced into participating in these barbaric practices due to the desire for social status and peer pressure. This has led to the loss of innocent lives, early death issues and rapid madness and poses a serious threat to public safety.
Similarly, peer pressure has also been identified as a significant element in cases of robbery and kidnapping. Young individuals who are influenced by their peer group often respond to these criminal activities as a means of gaining quick money and having a high social class above others. This has negative consequences for society.
Social media is another area where peer pressure can have a negative impact. With the accumulation of social media platforms, young people are always under tension to keep up with the current media trends and do what is not required to do legally, such as drug abuse and rituals.
However, it is possible to overcome such pressure from your peers and its negative effects.
10 ways to overcome Peer Pressure
- Build self-esteem and confidence: When you have a strong sense of your worth, you will be strong to be influenced by your peers around you. Surround yourself with positive friends that have positive mindsets.
- Develop a strong sense of identity: know who you are and what you stand for, and you will see yourself avoid pressure from peers
- Learn to say ‘No’: Yes, it might feel difficult to say ‘No’ when you are with your friends, but you have to be assertive and say it when you are uncomfortable with a situation.
- Surround yourself with positive influences: Seek friends who have a positive mindset and can impart good to you.
- Stay true to your values: Do not comprise your beliefs due to your friends or trying to please them in an activity.
- Seeks support: Seeking support from families and trusted friends will go a long way to ease the pressure from your peers.
- Focus on your goals and aspirations: Keep your own eyes on your goals and do not let negative peers preoccupy you with achieving such goals.
- Educate yourself: Educate yourself about the bad effect of negative peer pressure. Knowing the risks involved can help you make a good decision to follow.
- Evaluate your friendships: Assess the quality of your friendships. Keep in mind that genuine friends accept you for who you are, and do not pressure you into doing things that make you feel uneasy or uncomfortable.
- Avoid stressful situations: Prevent stressful scenarios from occurring by taking proactive measures. For instance, if you’re aware that a gathering will involve the use of alcohol, smoking or illegal drugs, consider making alternative arrangements. Similarly, if you’re going out with a guy or lady, steer clear of situations where he may coerce you into being physically intimate beyond your comfort level.