Peer Pressure:A Friend and FOE

"Pressure has the power to create a diamond, but it has to be the "right" pressure." - Shannon L. Alder A human being, being a social animal highly requires a peer group, a group of people who are approximately of the same age, status and interest, for its survival. A peer is a person who is of equal standing with another in a group. Peers serve many important roles in the life of a developing child. From toddlerhood through adolescence, peers serve to meet the individual's need for acceptance and belonging. They provide valuable messages regarding their socialization, through words and actions, which behaviors are acceptable and which are not. Almost everyone has experienced peer pressure before; either positive or negative. Peer pressure is the influence of a peer group, observers, or an individual exerts that encourages others to change their attitudes, values, or behaviors to conform to those of the influencing group or individual. Social groups affected include both membership groups, in which individuals are "formally" members, and cliques in which membership is not clearly defined. Hereby, we will discuss the major two forms of peer pressure, its effects, causes and methods of dealing with them. The most obvious and expected form is the negative peer pressure, which are the ill effects of peer pressure, where the individual confirms to the group norms (even if being harmful to the individual) to stay as a part of the group. Another form is the positive peer pressure which is mostly referred as effects of 'good friendship'. It can help the individual to analyze themselves and contemplate on their ways of life. Looking at what others do, can help them bring about a positive change in their way of thinking. If can be picked selectively, peer pressure can actually result in a positive change in their way of life. Judicially we have to map it to achieve our final goal.