When we hear about peer pressure, the first thing which comes to our mind is that it is only applicable to kids and thus the kids might learn some good or bad habits based on the peer pressure. But trust me peer pressure is relevant in all your life whether you are a kid or a grown-up. I feel that peer pressure is much more worse in adults than in kids.
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What exactly is Peer Pressure
In simple terms, peer pressure means an urge to do the same thing as other people in your group are doing. This is done so that you will not feel inferior as well as you will not feel left out. Most of individuals try to same thing as others because they want to stay in that group so that other people in that group will like them or they will feel respected.
Is Peer Pressure Necessary
In my opinion, peer pressure is actually necessary because it helps us to be motivated to do good things like what other people are doing. It is only beneficial if its done for the good habit and not for the bad habit. Mostly teenage folks under peer pressure try some things which they shouldn't and thus it marks their journey towards the wrong direction.
Positives of Peer Pressure
I feel there are mostly positives and fewer negatives of peer pressure but again it depends on how the individuals take it. Some of the positives are:
- You will feel motivated to do what your friends are doing
- It increases your self-confidence because you feel like if your friend can do why can't you
- Your personal habits become better when you are in a good group
Negatives of Peer Pressure
It's not that it is the only advantage of Peer pressure, there are some disadvantages too
- You try to recklessly by seeing others
- Harmful habits might increase since your friends are doing it and you also have to do so that they like you
How Peer Pressure Helped Me in Life
I also had an instance where based on peer pressure I had to take some steps, some good and some bad:
a) I was the only Drinker in my Group. In my college, all my friends used to drink and thus I was the only one who never drank. But the good thing was, my friends never pressured me to drink and they respected my choice.
b) I increased my savings by looking at my colleagues. 4-5 years back there was a discussion in my office where one guy said that he used to invest 60% of his salary and thus the discussion started and I found myself among the least invested guy. This is mainly because my loan was going on but still, I felt motivated and thus I increased my savings rate it is at 30% now and hoping to increase by 2-5% every year till I reach a 50% savings rate.
c) Buying a sports bike. I would not say that it is a bad decision but I have shelled out 20% more because of the peer pressure because they advised me to go with the sports bike look rather than a simple bike when I purchased my first bike 6 years back.
Along with these, I try to keep myself calm when I hear that my friends bought a new bike, new car, new house etc. These are temptation and peer pressure because you will feel inferior. But trust me that happiness for material things lasts very little. And when you have a big amount invested in a liquid asset rather than an illiquid asset, you feel satisfied.