Unit 9 Project: Composition Ii (Peer Pressure)
Peer Pressure: It is Extremely Detrimental Have you ever been pressured into doing something you did not want to do? This is peer pressure which is a strong social influence over peers that each member attempts to conform to the expectations of the group (dictionary.com). In peer pressure, there are usually consequences that could be destructive for the pressured individual (Kreske, 2008). It is very common for children to experience peer pressure during youth even in adulthood. There are some pressures that could be detrimental to their well being. I will argue that peer pressure is extremely detrimental that it can lead to putting their self and health at risk, put the person in severe situations that could make them feel as if they have to fit in and belonged or to be liked, and can lead to bad decisions which can result in life-changing consequences. Peer pressure is extremely detrimental that it can put children’s self and health at risk. They can put their selves at health risk in smoking, drinking alcohol, using drugs and taking part in sexual activities (Heubeck, 2007). Smoking can increase the chances of heart disease, stroke, emphysema, cancers (lung, throat, stomach and bladder), infections like bronchitis and pneumonia, low bone density that could lead to osteoporosis, a high risk of illness with colds, flu and more (kidshealth.org, 2007). Alcohol drinking can slow down the central part of the nervous system by blocking messages that tries to get to the brain which alters people’s perceptions, emotions, movement, vision and hearing (kidshealth.org, 2007). When people drink more and more alcohol, it can lead to intoxication and it can even lead to alcohol poisoning. In drugs, (but these are not the only ones listed here) it can cause addictiveness psychologically, anxiety problems, breathing problems, coughing, impaired judgment/ vision, slurring words during speech, nausea, fast heartbeat, skin problems, fever, sweating, brain damage,
References: Heubeck, Elizabeth. (2007). Teen Peer Pressure: Raising a peer pressure-proof child. Retrieved May 1, 2009 from http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/teen-peer-pressure-raising-peer-pressure-proof-child Kaplan, Leslie. (1997). Coping with Peer Pressure. New York: Hazelden/Rosen. Kreske, Damian. (2008). How to Say No to Drugs. New York Facts on File, Inc. Nemours Center/ Foundation’s Kids Health. (1995-2009). Smoking. Retrieved May 1, 2009 from http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug-alcohol/tobacco/smoking.html Nemours Center/ Foundation’s Kids Health. (1995-2009). Alcohol. Retrieved May 1, 2009 from http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug-alcohol/alcohol/alcohol.html Nemours Center/ Foundation’s Kids Health. (1995-2009). Drugs. Retrieved May 1, 2009 from http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug-alcohol/ SAMHSA: National Mental Health Information Center. (n.d.). Preparing Youth for Peer Pressure. Retrieved from http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/ca-0047/default.asp The American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, 3rd Edition. (2005). Peer Pressure. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/peer%20pressure