Friends are important; they shape our lives. As the saying goes, "A friend in need is a friend indeed.
" Friends can help
you when needed, share secrets, and create great moments together. However, sometimes friends can cause pressure,
which is called peer pressure. So, what are the positive and negative effects of peer pressure? Welcome, everyone, to my
presentation. I'm Nguyen The Minh, a student from class 7A1 at Nguyen Dang Dao Lower Secondary School, and today
I'm here to share with you about this topic. First and foremost, I want to wish everyone good health and abundant
happiness. Now, let's not delay any further and dive into my speech.
Before discussing the positive and negative effects of peer pressure, we should clarify what peer pressure is. Peer
pressure is the influence that people in the same social group—friends, classmates, or coworkers—have on each other. It
often encourages individuals to change their attitudes, values, or behaviors to conform to group norms.
Despite its reputation, peer pressure can also bring notable benefits. First, it encourages good habits. As the saying goes,
"Birds of a feather flock together." A great group of friends can encourage good habits. For example, if your friends are
hardworking, peer pressure will motivate you to be hardworking. If your friends are interested in a particular sport, peer
pressure may lead you to play that sport. Friends can also create motivation; peer pressure increases academic
performance for 68% of students when friends value education, and 35% are more likely to attend advanced classes in
high school. Bill Gates was encouraged by friends to learn programming, paving the way for one of the most famous
tech behemoths, Microsoft.
Secondly, peer pressure helps you to build social skills. With peer pressure, individuals learn communication and
empathy by observing positive behaviors from friends. For instance, teams with a positive peer influence are 2.4 times
more likely to volunteer. Peer groups can offer emotional support and a feeling of unity, boosting confidence and mental
health. Imagine how powerful you feel in a contest if you know that all of your friends are cheering for you!
However, as mentioned, peer pressure also has its drawbacks. First, it can force kids to make risky decisions and engage
in dangerous activities. Peer pressure can compel you to participate in unhealthy and illegal activities. When your friends
are involved in drug use, smoking, drinking, or reckless driving, you may have a 70% chance of attending those
activities. According to a 2011 study by Chein et al., published in the journal Developmental Science, teenagers tend to
take more risks when peers are around them. A shocking fact is that 70% of teens admitted to drinking, smoking, and
vaping due to peer pressure, and 55% said they gave in to peer pressure regarding alcohol use.
Secondly, peer pressure can create a loss of individuality. Trying too hard to fit in may cause someone to lose their sense
of self or personal values. Shawn Mendes admitted in interviews that he once adjusted his style and public image
constantly to please fans and fit the "ideal pop star" role, leading to personal unhappiness and a temporary identity loss.
Beyond influencing behaviors and identity, peer pressure can also severely impact mental health. It can cause stress,
anxiety, depression, and feelings of low self-worth. Selena Gomez revealed how peer pressure from social media and
celebrity culture damaged her mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and her decision to take multiple health
breaks.
In conclusion, peer pressure is a powerful force that can impact both positively and negatively on actions and choices.
While it can encourage good habits, build social skills, and motivate us to achieve more, it can also lead to risky
behaviors, loss of individuality, and mental health challenges. By recognizing these influences, we can make choices that
honor our true selves and protect our well-being.