Introduction
Peer pressure is commonly perceived as an action that influences the adolescents. To some extent, this phenomenon is true since many people are exposed to unbecoming behaviors at the adolescent level of development. For that reason, negative peer influence is an existing force that leads to observable effects in an individual’s unfriendly actions, choices, dressing, values, languages, and leisure activities among others. This research paper examines the effects of negative peer pressure on adolescents.
The essay was guided by the following hypothesis.
- H1: Negative peer influence is a predictor of behaviors such as the use of drugs, low self-esteem, and eating disorders amongst the adolescents.
Literature Review
Contributing Factors to Negative Peer Influence
There is a growing concern about the negative peer influence on many adolescents. Several aspects including being passive in the peer structure have been directly or indirectly linked to the negative influence on children during their adolescent stage of development. Most students behave in a manner that is consistent with their affiliate groups. Other problems include favoritism towards a group of students. Favoritism is also shown by teachers towards the hardworking students where they extend special treatment to them. Such actions promote discouragement amongst other students. Jealousy also develops due to favoritism.
Alderman (2000) noted that an increase in ability tracking had influenced the teachers to separate students according to their talents and achievements. This action resulted in the isolation of students whose talents were not distinguished. The students were then categorized as lower achievers; hence, they were less motivated to succeed. Due to the ability tracking, the students formed various groups that contributed significantly to their negative behavior and reduced performance.
Lastly, a situational factor also leads to the negative peer influence among the adolescents. Some teachers are known for exhibiting stereotypical behaviors towards the underperforming children. These students are blamed of their sociological backgrounds or identities. For example, some teachers accuse students who perform dismally of their background. Such students are then denied equal opportunities as the rest show improved performance due to favoritism (Alderman, 2000).
What Negative Peer Influence provides to Adolescent Children?
People must be aware of the negative peer influence provided to adolescent children. A research conducted by Castrogiovanni (2002) highlighted the positive effects that result from peer influence such as the opportunity for interaction, gaining support for identity, interest, and personality. The survey also revealed that peer influence underpins the development of varying abilities, friendship, and maintenance of relationships.
However, a separate research conducted by Burns and Darling (2002) contradicted the above sentiments as it was found out that most adolescents were self-conscious. According to Burns and Darking (2002), children who take a different stance against the peers in the group remain at a risk of being mocked. This state of affairs forces them to develop a tendency of bearing the pressure from the rest of the group.
Ryan (2000) mentioned that students always indulged in the ways in which the colleagues conducted activities. This situation compelled them to perform various activities against their will (Ryan, 2000). It is noted that most children conform to the behaviors of their peers in such events as music, dressing, drug abuse, eating behavior, and/or hairstyling among others that can influence them negatively (Ryan, 2000). It is unfortunate that both teachers and parents do control most behaviors of their children. They are expected to interact with the children constantly to give proper supervision, guidance, and effective communication. The children are swayed by the negative peer influence. This situation exposes their lives to undesirable characteristics that are unacceptable in the society.
How Negative Peer Pressure influences the Adolescents on Socialization?
Socialization is based on the conformity and bonding that exists between two or more people (Ryan, 2000). Such conformities result from the similarities that exist between people. Children at the adolescent stage tend to be selective when making friends. However, a problem crops up where the negative peer pressure influences them to choose the wrong company of friends. Children are known to exhibit different behavior owing to the nature of schooling and family backgrounds. Therefore, some children succumb to a given undesirable behavior because the negative peer pressure influence exists among them (Burns & Darling, 2002).
The characteristics of the peer groups are also important factors. Ryan (2000) further attested that the children easily select friends by focusing on the characteristics that dominate their identities. These characteristics are highly valued as they perceive them as right; hence, they tend to overestimate their similarities. Socialization brings out two distinct factors when they make friends. Such factors include similarity and value. The similarity is responsible for the pressure that exists among the peer groups. It is exhibited by children with low similarities who tend to change those who have higher resemblance (Ryan, 2000).
In contrast, children with high values tend to resist changes compared to children with lower values. Furthermore, the children with lower personality values are always receptive; hence, they change quickly if the dominating value is negative. A research conducted by Ryan (2000) found out that children are highly influenced to adopt new behavior due to their intrinsic values that promote their enjoyment or interest in a given activity. It was noted that children who associated themselves with those who disliked school tended to have a negative attitude towards learning; hence, they absconded classes and other school activities (Ryan, 2000).
Discussion
The purpose of the essay was to discuss negative peer influence. It is clear from the literature review that negative peer influence has off-putting effects on the adolescent children. Although an extensive review has been conducted on the negative peer influence, it is noted that some aspects have been overlooked. This discussion presents some biased information on negative peer influence. Other sources of negative peer influence that were omitted from the essay include the behaviors of the media, athletes, and politicians among other people who can influence the adolescents negatively.
The essay has only reviewed previous studies; hence, no research was conducted on negative peer influence. As a result, new information was not added. It is recommended that further research should be conducted on the same subject, especially the examination of negative peer influence types on adolescents. The studies should be conducted with respect to the society settings and various activities in the schools that result in negative peer influence among others.
In conclusion, further research should be conducted to provide more elaborations on the potential risks, causes, and impacts of the negative peer influence on the adolescents with a view of determining the suitable prevention processes and solutions.
Reference List
Alderman, K. (2000). School groups and peer motivation. Web.
Burns, A., & Darling, N. (2002). Peer pressure is not peer influence. Education Digest, 68(2), 4-6.
Castrogiovanni, D. (2002). Adolescence: Peer groups. Web.
Hoffman, B., Monge, P., Chou, C., & Valente, T. (2007). Perceived peer influence and peer selection on adolescent smoking. Addictive Behaviors, 32(8), 1546-1554.
Ryan, A. (2000). Peer groups as a context for the socialization of adolescents’ motivation, engagement, and achievement in school. Educational Psychologist, 35(2), 101-111.