Does Peer Pressure Exist?

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Avatar for charmingcherry08
3 years ago

We often hear the term "influenced by friends," especially when someone is on his darkest days. When you see a person going to a party or smoking, people eventually conclude that they are influenced by their friends or will be a bad influence on others. Before, I thought that is how it is and believed that peer pressure exists.

But growing up, I realized a lot, and one of them is that I was wrong when I once believed that peer pressure exists. I know that some of you will agree, and most of you will disagree.

I want to clarify that I am talking on behalf of my experiences, opinion, and personal views. If you think we will have conflicts about this matter, kindly close the article. But if you are interested, continue scrolling down and hear my side.


I am friends with many people, and it explains why I have a different circle of friends. I met people with different personalities and beliefs. Some are saying more yeses than nos, but some are vice versa. It is when reality hit met. Peer pressure does not exist, but own decision does. It is not about our friends being the bad influence, but us who wants to be influenced.

Imagine, if someone learned how to smoke because of peer pressure, once or twice will be enough. If they decided to smoke in the next years of their lives, that's their decision and not influenced by a friend.

Also, I do not believe that people did not have a choice. If you knew that your friends are drinking alcoholic beverages or smoking cigarettes and you don't want to do it, you could say no. And if they insisted and pushed you through, then leave the circle. You had a choice, so I wouldn't say I like it when parents tell their kids that they have friends that could negatively influence them. It was their choice.

Another scenario is that I have friends who don't smoke, drink, or even hang out with us overnight. It was okay, and we can still do jam and bond together. It was their choice to say no, and even if we accept it, the answer will stay as it is if they are already decided. I do not understand why people always use the term "influenced by friends" or whatsoever since every person has the freedom to decide one way or another.


As soon as I realized things, I thought that if I am a parent someday, I will teach my kids the right and effective ways of decision-making. I will not ask them to stay away from people like this and that, but rather teach them to think twice, trust fewer people, and make wise decisions. It will not be easy, but I should start planting the seeds inside their heads about how important it is to consider the possible outcome, ending, or result of every decision that they will make.

If you are reading this and think their friends influence someone by doing nasty things, never settle for the one-sided story. You will never know the story and the feeling unless you experience it on hand. I, myself, experienced being asked to do things that will cause a terrible outcome, but I think twice before deciding. And I know that I always had a choice. For me, peer pressure does not exist. People decide on their fate. And that is how it works.


Author's Remarque:

Rest assured that this article went through plagiarism detection for everyone's peace of mind. It is for the readers and users who take plagiarism as a big deal since they are working to improve the platform. The detection made will serve as my contribution to the said purpose. I am one of you, and I am starting it with my article.

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Date Published: August 21, 2021

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3 years ago

Comments

Yun na kasi yung nakaugalian ng sabihin. Kapag tinanong, kanino ka natuto magluto ang isasagot "I was influenced by my uncle who was a chef". Kanino ka natuto magsulat, "I was influenced by one writer". Kasi at first naman hindi mo masasabing gusto o ayaw mo ang isang bagay kung hindi mo susubukan. Yes oo may choice ka abd out of free will mo yun ginawa kahit pinilit ka pa. Pero with that choice still comes the influences of other people. They pushed you to do somethings and those things may or may not be good. Whether good or bad, influence talaga ang possible na term. Sa good pwede pang inspire. Kaso can you also say I was "inspired" kapag tinuruan ka na ng mga masasamang bisyo? 😉

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3 years ago

Dapat talaga alam nating na huminde kapag 'di talaga natin feel na gawin 'yung isang bagay. Oo, may iba talaga na inuudyok tayo pero nasa atin pa din naman 'yun eh.

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3 years ago

Oo, tama yan. May mga friends din naman tayo na mala-anghel, pero hindi natin sila masisisi kasi choice nila yun and decision pa rin nila. Ganun din dapat yung iba. Kung sa tingin mo ayaw mo yung ipapagawa or ginagawa ng friends mo, ikaw na ang umiwas. You always had a choice eh.

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3 years ago

Lesson learned na ako the last time na sumama ako sa mga elementary friends ko. Kaya the next time, mas papalakasin ko pa sarili ko to say NO. :)

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3 years ago

Awww. May experience ka pala sa ganyan, hehe. Buti ako wala naman. Kapag sinabi ko kasing ayaw ko, wala talaga silang magagawa. Kahit masabihan akong KJ! 😏🤣

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3 years ago

Kaya nga sa susunod is mas alam ko na gagawin ko. Kung mapi-feel ko na pipilitin na naman ako, maybe mas maganda na di na lang ako sumama or jumoin.

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3 years ago

Tama naman Charmy Charmy, nasa saiyo pa rin namam kasi yan. Pwdng tumanggi, pero nagpa dala ka sa alok nila it's on you talaga.

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3 years ago

Tama ate. Pwede ka nilang sabihan na gawin ang isang bagay, pero kapag nag-go ka, choice mo na yun hehehe.

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3 years ago

Yup that is a choice. nsa syo nlng kung mag papa implewensya ka sa masasamang bisyo ng barkada..

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3 years ago

Tama ka diyan ate. Minsan kasi kahit sabihin ng barkada mo na gawin mo yung bisyo, kung ayaw mo talaga wala naman silang magagawa. Pero kung ayaw mo silang ma-disappoint at ayaw mo mawala sa grupo, then that was your choice. Nagpadala ka eh.

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3 years ago

well said, I'm hoping na you will be a good mother to them. sooner kapag may fam kana all of this is magagawa mo na and I'm praying na magmana sila sayo

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3 years ago

Thank you po. I hope so too. Sabi nga nila, kung hindi ka naging mabuting anak, bumawi ka sa pagiging mabuting magulang. So I'll be taking my experiences with me when the time comes na ako naman ang magkakaanak.

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3 years ago

Well, I think the peer pressure definitely exists but (just as you wrote) so does your free mind and the ability to chose what's best for you. The main question in this case is:"will you let the peer pressure make you do things or not?" Some people drink alcohol or take drugs just because they want to fit in a group of friends, because they don't want to be outsiders. I'm so glad that I didn't get to experience this :)

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3 years ago

I'm happy that you did not have to go through such pressure. And it was your choice, we always had a choice. I agree with what you have said that peer pressure somehow exists, but people decide on their fate & not because they are influenced. It was their choice not to leave the circle.

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about my article. Well-appreciated! <3

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3 years ago

Well, peer pressure really does have a great influence on our actions but it is still our decision to continue or not. ❤ Nice one Cherry.

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3 years ago

You're right. It exists, but people have their own decision. Thank you po, ate for reading my article. ♥️🥰

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3 years ago

Hehe. No probs. Nice writeup as always.

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3 years ago

Hehehe. Thank you po, Ate! 🥰

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3 years ago

It's really our own choice which road we take so we can't blame others for influencing us.

Great one Cherry. 👍

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3 years ago

Yeah, absolutely on point Ate. It was always our choice, indeed. Thank you po. ♥️

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3 years ago