Peer Pressure

I.

Introduction

Teenage years are crucial to ones life for they constitute the time
for self-development, where the thin line between maturities and
immaturities is blurred and ones identity is yet to be defined. This is the
time where confusion sinks in and perspective about life changes. This is
the time when teenagers do many things and actions that satisfy their
curiosity and at the same time answer their questions. Some questions
like Should I do this?, What should I do?, and How will I do it? are
raised.

With the help of their friends, these questions are answered

through a decision that would satisfy them also.

Therefore, peer pressure is present during these years.
Insert definitions of peer pressure
Insert the first type of peer pressure
Indirect peer pressure is another type of peer pressure in which
teenagers are greatly influenced by peers without any communications
happening between them (Kanhere, 2011). This is the type of peer
pressure where what you see and hear, what you do. It makes teenagers
follow the trends for they want to blend in the crowd. Indirect peer

Peer Pressure
pressure can be positive and negative. The common thing between these
two is that the teenager decides to do this because the others are doing
it. It somehow affects ones self-esteem for the reason that in this world,
acceptance is a must. Teenagers feel that if theyre not in the flow of the
trend, they might be called outcast or worse, be bullied because theyre
different.
On the other hand, peer pressure isnt always on the bad side. It
has also a positive side. Randolph (2011) states that Positive Peer
Pressure is exactly what the name suggests. It is the good kind of peer
pressure, the kind you want to be involved in. It is hearing and viewing
people doing something positive and encouraging you to do the same,
such as getting good grades, being asked to join a club/group, or
participating in volunteer work.
Take for example this scenario, this teenager has his/her own peer
group. Now, his/her peer group decides to join a local tournament. The
peer group asked the teenager if she/he wanted to join or not. The
teenager is pressured to make a decision to join for the peer group asked
the teenager to join. The teenager agreed and joins the tournament. Not
only did he/she help his/her peer group to complete the members but
also he/she bond with them.

Peer Pressure
Peer pressure weighs heavily on the self-esteem of a person,
especially a teenager. For this reason, it cannot be ignored as a factor of a
teenagers development.
There are many definitions of self-esteem that are very cohesive to
one another. Some of these are the following:
Vanstone (2009) explains that self-esteem is a persons own
evaluation of themselves physiologically, emotionally, physically, and
spiritually. It is a persons assessment of his own actions and words.
Cherry (n.d.) states that Self-esteem is often seen as a
personality trait, which means that it tends to be stable and enduring
Brandstone (1969) states that Self-esteem occurs in conjunction
with a person's thoughts, behaviors, feelings and actions
Self-esteem is the way one perceives and considers himself (Selfesteem, 2003).
According to these reputable authors, several desirable factors
could affect a persons self-esteem.
Crocker and Wolfe (2001) aver that a person could enjoy a high
self-esteem depending on his being smart and attractive, while another

Peer Pressure
person could base his self-esteem on his having good moral character (as
cited in Myers, 2005, p.62).
On the other hand, Brown and Dutton (1994) believe that in
general, people with high self-esteem are more likely to value their looks,
abilities, and the like (as cited in Myers, 2005, p.64).
However, studies show that self-esteem is lowered by rejection in
society, making people more determined to gain acceptance (Myers,
2005).
Leary believes that ones feelings toward his self-esteem are like a
fuel gauge, for surviving and thriving is empowered by relationships (as
cited in Myers, 2005, p.64). Therefore, Myers (2005) concludes that the
self-esteem gauge signifies the need for public approval since it motivates
our self-esteem.
Globally, Insert global probs chorva xD
Correa (2012) deals in her article about the culture of Filipino
friendships called barkada. A barkada is like an extended family; each
person in the group knows every good or bad side each member has, but

Peer Pressure
still manages to accept each one of them. However, having a barkada can
also be bad because of the presence of peer pressure.
Every barkada seeks to establish that what one has, everyone
needs to have. Where one goes, everyone follows. One for all, all for one
as they say (Tulfo, 2013). Most Filipino teenagers tend to follow the
trends existing in their barkada in order to gain acceptance. If they fail to
do so, they might get rejected by their barkada, and their self-esteem will
suffer.
Peer pressure pushes many Filipino teenagers to join rebellious
gangs, abuse alcohol and/or drug intake, engage in pre-marital sex
(PMS), and many more.

Abstract
Data Analysis
----effects----Conclude

Peer Pressure
-----hindi lang masama
----maintain close family ties
------priorities
----mindset
-----gullible