What's so bad about peer pressure?

[Oneironaut]

I just saw another one of those stupid Above the Influence commercials. The one with the chick who was crushed from "peer pressure" so she's like 2 feet tall. And it got me thinking. What's really so bad about peer pressure? Why is "peer pressure" such a negative term?

These commercials are only trying to replace peer pressure with parent pressure and teacher pressure. It is true that teenagers are often influenced by their peers into doing things, but this has been the case for everybody in every social group since society began. Every social group has an established set of norms which are expected of its members. It's what keeps me from picking my nose in public, carrying a purse, or going to class shirtless.

But of course, as an individual with my own free will, I am free to reject any social norm I choose to reject, so long as it doesn't harm anyone else. For example, as a college student, in my particular social culture it is normal to drink alcohol, but I choose not to because I don't particularly enjoy it. Even young people have the ability to make their own independent decisions in the face of peer pressure, and to conform to whatever social norms they choose.

Everybody has to make compromises between their individuality and following social norms. On the one hand, we want to feel like a part of a group, and on the other hand we want to establish our uniqueness. This is just part of life in society. As long as society continues to exist there will always be social norms and pressure to conform to them; it's what keeps societies together and gives their members a common identity. Most of these norms are completely harmless, and it is up to the individual to choose which ones he or she wants to adopt. If kids don't learn this stuff as a teenager while they're still learning how to socialize, they never will.

Oneironaut Reviewed by Oneironaut on 04-11-2006. What's so bad about peer pressure? I just saw another one of those stupid Above the Influence commercials. The one with the chick who was crushed from "peer pressure" so she's like 2 feet tall. And it got me thinking. What's really so bad about peer pressure? Why is "peer pressure" such a negative term? These commercials are only trying to replace peer pressure with parent pressure and teacher pressure. It is true that teenagers are often influenced by their peers into doing things, but this has been the case for everybody in Rating: 5

[MaryJaneintheCloset]

Well said, One. And I agree with pretty much everything you said... if it's not peer pressure, it's pressure from somewhere else.

[friendowl]

peer pressurs goes against all the hard work some parents put in.

like if you spend years and years telling your kids
"dont do drugs"
"dont have sex"
"dont be skerred do it"

then i cum along and get you high and bone you down and turn you out

[grinthenbearit]

I have witnessed peer pressure be the cause for people to do wicked things.

[Oneironaut]

Yes, but peer pressure is mostly harmless. Parent pressure and teacher pressure can be destructive too. Besides, what do you expect, for every kid to stop influencing their friends' behavior? Good luck with that.

[Subnormal]

you think a bunch of kids signed up for world war 2 and their friends signed up to be with them? thats an example of positive peer pressure. or fraternities in college that require all members to have a 3.0 or higher gpa? peer pressure is just like everything else, some good and some bad. but the good never gets media coverage, just like everything else.

[orangeman]

My definition of peer pressure is like if your hangin out then they bring in some tied up dude and hand you a pistol and force you to kill him, Just take that example and put it in other scenerios. If you dont get the point, it is that it's wrong to make some one do something they really dont wanna do and thats whats wrong with peer pressure.

[Oneironaut]

Well, if you don't want to do something, don't do it. Teenagers just like adults have the freedom to resist their peers' suggestions. If your friend forces you to take a drug at gunpoint, sure, that's wrong. But if he just tells you it'll make you feel good and you voluntarily go along with him under your own free will, I don't see what's wrong with that. Most peer pressure isn't done by force since people generally don't hang around assholes who force them to do shit they don't want to do.

[Psycho4Bud]

LOL....I saw the same commercial. I was thinking it must have been an indica cause she had a nasty case of couch lock!:thumbsup:

[cannabis campbell]

I can be both really because for example if you've never tried weed and your friends made you try it because of peer pressure, they would only do it once and if you didn't like it end of story but if you did then at least you found out about it!

And if that never happened that person might not of ever smoked weed in his life but is that a good or bad thing?

Just like one time when one of my friends was persuading me to take a line of coke and i kept saying no because i dont give in i stick with my answers, i knew it would of been good, but i might of ended up taking it every single day because i like it so much,

Again, is that a good thing or a bad thing? up to you to decide really.:thumbsup: