PEER PRESSURE PAINS-TIME TO GIVE IT A SERIOUS THOUGHT!

Peer pressure refers to the influence exerted by a peer group in encouraging a person to change his or her attitudes, values, or behavior in order to conform to group norms. Social groups affected include membership groups, when the individual is "formally" a member (for example, political party, trade union), or a social clique. A person affected by peer pressure may or may not want to belong to these groups. They may also recognize dissociative groups with which they would not wish to associate, and thus they behave adversely concerning that group's behaviors.^{[citation needed]} Peer pressure can cause people to do things they would not normally do, e.g. promote hatred, take drugs, smoke, get a girlfriend, marry, get a job, have children, buy items they don't really need (cars, houses, boats), etc.This is the dictionary meaning of it.

Peer pressure at times can be killing and it is not that only children of High Schools AND Colleges are under going it .Even a three old Sarah wants a doll same as her friend because her "Status " needs A BOOST.

The level of peer influence generally increases as children grow, and resistance to peer influence often declines as children gain independence from the family or caregivers, and before they fully form an adult identity. Pre-school children tend to be the least aware of peer pressure, and are the least influenced by the need to conform. However with more social interactions outside the home and more awareness of others, the influence of peers increases.

Students in Colleges these days don't have only to cope up with studies but to look "handsome","macho" and so on...the list is never ending.Sometimes trivial matters like "teasing"."taunting" which is another form of bullying takes lives of children-either the "silent one ends up his life" or "unbelievable but true takes the life of those bullying him"!

The consequences sometimes are dangerous And Parents ,Teachers,Well Wishers Have To Take Actions Within Time.

Before it is too late the society as a whole has to come forward as a help or else everyday we are reading serious articles on this ever growing issue!We all know this but still think that situations will come under control on its own-we can close our eyes to what is happening in the name of ragging and easing pressure of exams,losing girlfriends,etc.Students resort to uncalled means,like drugs,alcohol,smoking,petty thievery to maintain their lifestyles etc.Who will help such dejected elements?Surely we have to do so-if required medication ,counseling and means to bring them back to mainstream should be adopted.SO GET UP AND BE A HELP BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!

rashmi.