By Jimoh Aisha
If you have a child wafting into his teenage years, it is very apt, I must recommend, you say a prayer for him. In that teenage year, it is a battle between the moral inclination you have instilled in him and the peers they roll and grow up with. With the latter having more influence in the decisions these lads will make in those delicate years of their lives. You need no soothsayer to tell you that those wards need the guidance of the almighty to scale through.
Peer pressure has historical roots in the need to survive by fitting in with the group of friends, but it is currently best defined as the “I belong” mentality. The act and meaning of peer pressure have not changed significantly over the past few decades; it originated from gossip and in-person interactions in one’s childhood group.
With the emergence of social media, the battle against peers becomes bigger and more serial. You get to see people who are bigger than they appear, and people appearing bigger than they really are too. That’s what that social space does. An avenue to hide tears, sad people pretending to be happy. Rich people laying low.
Peer pressure has headed many people to their early graves and turned some to what they were not supposed to be under the influence of fake life on social media platforms,
The causes of peer pressure include the need to fit in, low self-esteem, fear of rejection, and at most times the need to feel safety and security from peers. The effects of peer pressure can be negative and also have the worst outcome. Peer pressure is most commonly found in the ages of 12-19 years old. However this is not restrictive. In fact the age limit is but in the harrowing days, you now see adults being influenced by peers too. Embarking on a voyage they are naturally not prepared for. This is how rotten our society has become.
The causes for falling to peer pressure vary from the desire to fit in, avoidance of rejection among friends or avoidance of bullying and gaining of social acceptance. Hormonal inconsistencies.
Age, race, and perceived gender roles are factors linked to teenagers’ vulnerability to peer pressure. One of the closest risk factors for teenage drug use is peer pressure. With all crimes in the world associated with people’s network and friends, the take the grace of the Almighty to set our issues right.