Asmita Sharma
Team TeacherTribe
Each day, as the bell rings, the classroom buzzes and bustles with information aplenty. Groups form almost in unison as students gather around their desks to speak about their latest ideas and interests. Although this scenario may seem familiar, we may not notice the ‘majority vs. minority’ dynamic here at play. The students with a firmer opinion may inadvertently affect their peers who hold a different view. This influence within a group of students can sway the decision-making and choices of their peers.
What is ‘Peer Pressure’?
Peer pressure is the nature of a social group influencing the other members to participate or agree to something they are resistant to or not choose themselves. This can materialise in different ways such as during trivial everyday discussions of a favourite character or movie franchise to the more serious nature of indulging in socially undesirable behaviour. Often students conform to the majority opinion in a social group, assuming the opinion comes from their friends.
As the past decade saw the gradual and continual rise of ‘influencers’ in the digital sphere, offline world has seen the idea of ‘influencing’ in real-time. It begins as the metal gates of the school cling open for the day.
Introverts and Peer pressure:
For students who belong to the introverted side of social interaction, peer pressure may land them with the shorter end of the stick. The pressure can be especially difficult on these students as it pushes and requires them to do or speak about something they aren’t comfortable with. For example- going to perform on stage or speaking in front of large crowds. They often make decisions based on their idea of ‘fitting in’ to their group of friends and not being left out. There is also the desire to be ‘likeable’ and avoid disagreement as they may be seen as resistive to the group’s sentiments.
Is there a type of peer pressure?
Negative peer pressure can affect the student’s behaviour and emotional health. It can lead to a push for conformity, eroding individualistic personalities, thoughts and self-expressions in its process. It can lead to self-doubt, low self-esteem and hinder creativity. Whether that be a student tweaking their appearance to be socially acceptable by a ‘clique’ or taking up an activity they don’t enjoy to fit into their group. It can lead to an increase in stress and academic underperformance. To save themselves from social embarrassment, this can in turn lead to unethical practices such as cheating to remain a part of their circle.
Positive Peer Pressure:
Despite peer pressure often being associated with the negative aspects and effects on student behaviour, it can also wield its way through to the positive end of the spectrum.
Having a group that influences a student to perform better academically and socially can lead to great results for the student’s overall well-being. It can also serve as a source of motivation, helping them set goals and work to achieve them. When a student is surrounded by peers with a good work ethic, it can foster and influence them to adopt a similar mindset which helps build a healthy classroom environment. Involving themselves in a positive setting can help them discover new aspects about themselves and learn through new experiences, such as trying out a new restaurant or listening to a new genre of music. It can encourage the development of healthy friendships with their peer group and enhance their social skills.
How can we utilise peer pressure to our advantage?
One effective strategy for helping children learn and better themselves is to promote positive behaviours in the classroom. Peer pressure can be used to encourage positive changes in student behaviours and lifestyles. Students can influence their peers to develop healthy habits such as picking up a sport or cutting down on junk food. They can also influence each other to get better grades. This can create an engaging and interactive classroom, as students motivate each other to better themselves and promote an environment of healthy competition.
Peer pressure is an inevitable form of classroom dynamics that can either propel a student to a positive journey of growth or a regressive path of potentially harmful choices. By understanding its impact, students can learn how to shield their individualistic traits from conformity and the pitfalls of negative self-image.
Comments