Peer pressure is a social influence exerted by others on an individual. The pressure is exerted in order to get someone to act or believe in a similar way. The peer pressure is acted out by a peer group against others, often be in an “everybody’s doing it” kind of way. The end result of successful peer pressure is a change of behavior. Peer pressure can be both negative and positive.

Peer pressure can be a dangerous tool against children, especially younger or insecure children. Children may be coerced into changing their behavior for the worse. They may be talked into actions they may otherwise not have considered, like smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol. In the same vein, peer pressure is a common problem for adults. They may be pressured in the same way as children, from going on strike, to changing friends, to buying an expensive appliance.

Peer pressure, on the other hand, is not always a negative thing. A group of peers may pressure a friend to get into a certain kind of music, simply for the joy of the music. This peer pressure can be exerted to get a friend off of drugs, or to help an adult pick up a good habit or drop a bad one.

Peer pressure, as a kind of social pressure, dominates pre-teen life. Many teens are becoming absorbed into different cliques and groups, and spending less time with their family. Much of the personality of a teen can be shaped by a peer group, and an “everybody’s doing it” attitude.

Different organizations try to teach kids against the dangers of negative peer pressure, and to embrace the positive peer pressure of a positive peer group. Kids are warned to stand up and be themselves. They are advised to politely decline peer pressure which they feel is against what is right. They are taught to stop and think what they do, and not just act because everybody else is. On the other hand, peer groups like study groups, class projects, or athletic groups are positive peer groups. These are often a safe way of assimilating into an “everybody’s doing it” atmosphere for most.

Peer pressure takes other forms too. It can be found in toddlers mimicking others in doing things their parents might not want. It can also be positive: in things like taking naps or eating vegetables.