We all know peer pressure. We grew up with it and have failed to grow out of it. We heard the countless preachings from our parents and other adult figures: don't give into peer pressure.
"If all of your friends jumped off a bridge, would you?" No, Mom, I would not jump off that bridge. But in the reality of the moment, maybe if that bridge doesn't seem that tall and doesn't appear that bad and everyone else is doing it, I would at least consider it.
We've heard the horror stories of peer pressure and have experienced our own moments of weakness under all of that pressure. It's seems as though we try so hard to resist, we can never fully escape it.
We are always told not to give in to the peer pressure, but why were we never taught not to pressure our peers?
There are a lot of problems where we question the victims of the situation instead of the offenders. "Well, her skirt was short so she must have been asking for it." "She should've known better and watched her drink so it didn't get drugged." "He is so bright; he shouldn't have given into the peer pressure." Why are we not addressing the root of the problems?
Peer pressure still exists because people are still placing pressure on their peers because they were never taught otherwise. It happens so often and appears so harmless that it often goes unnoticed, but it's still happening. Any time you convince someone to change their mind and go along with what you want instead, you are peer pressuring them.
Sometimes the pressure is good. We can try to pressure people to take a stance for a worthy cause, or even a little competition may push you to try a little harder. Mostly, this is the pressure to take another shot, go to another party, the list goes on. Sometimes that isn't so bad. Sometimes it is.
Let's use this visual as an example. It strongly encourages resisting peer pressure and saying no to what is wrong. There are a lot of images of this theme to be found in a quick Internet search. However, there is not a single photo telling kids not to pressure their friends.
I think this says a lot about the issues in the world today. We don't really take responsibility for anything, and we transfer the blame instead. Yes, peer pressure can be very bad and yes you should resist it, but people should also resist the urge to pressure their friends.
When you find yourself in a position someday where you are teaching young children not to surrender to the pressures of the crowd, be sure to teach them not to be that group trying to suck others in, too. We can only make progress if both sides of the problem are making an effort to improve. If the pressure no longer exists, there will be nothing to resist.
