Peer pressure on children - Research Paper Example

? How to Reduce the Impact of Negative Peer Pressure on Children? How to Reduce the Impact of Negative Peer Pressure on Children?Introduction Peer pressures influence the way we behave in order to fit in our community. Peer pressure occurs when someone does something they do not want to do due to the influence of their peers (Zolten and Long, P. 1). Peer pressure can be negative or positive and can affect adults, teenagers as well as children. However, children and teenagers are mostly affected by the negative peer pressure in the desire to fit in among their friends and age mates. Negative peer pressure comes from bad company. Children choose bad company for various reasons including companionship, to seek attention from their parents, excitement of being in the wrong and low self esteemed and low self confidence (Zolten and Long, P. 1). Almost all children are affected by peer pressure at some point in their lives and in most cases parents are not able to protect their parents from peer pressure (Zolten and Long, P. 2). However, parents can play a big role in reducing the impact of negative peer pressure by establishing a strong bond with their children, talking to them about peer pressure and its impact, seeking to know their children’s friends rather than criticizing them, recognizing their effort and teaching them how to be independent. This study will seek evaluate the existing literature on this topic and come up with rich literature review on how to reduce the impact of negative peer pressure on children. It will provide rich information to parents, guardians and teachers in regard to negative peer pressure and educate to help their children overcome peer pressure. Literature review We all yearn to be associated with a group or a community. From the early stages of life human beings learn from each other positive or negative attributes and this helps use develop skills and talents. Peer pressure, therefore is a strong force among children that influence the way the dress, their values, behaviors, activities and language. Everybody can be affected by peer pressure at some point in their lives (Zolten and Long, P. 1) but teenagers are more prone to peer pressure than adult (Perkins, P.178). Parents, teachers and other care gives may not be able to protect their children from peer pressure but they can reduce its negative impact. According to (Perkins, P.178), children associate with group due different factors such as companionship and to be associated by a specific group. Similar factors which include seeking attention from parent and peers, companionship, to rebel against parents and due to personal attributes have been stated by Zolten and Long (P. 1). Others join groups for fear of segregation, to bond with friends to avoid ridicule and to feel adequate. The main reason why children follow their peers is due to lack of relationship between them and their parents, relatives and guiding institutions such as religion organization (Perkins, P.179). According Okorodudu (P. 34), teenagers spend most of their time with their peers while less time is spent with people that have positive impact on them such teachers, parents, counselors and relatives (Okorodudu, P. 34). Peer pressure is capable of influencing people’s behavior. Peer pressure has both positive and negative impacts on children but in most cases negative impacts outweighs the positive impact. Children are uncomfortable with the Negative peer pressure but they still do what their peers advices them. The negative impacts of peer pressure include drug abuse and engaging in risky activities (Philip Morris USA, P.5). The risk sexual activities can lead sexual transmitted diseases, early pregnancy, teenage motherhood and school dropout. According to peer pressure can have short term as well as long term effect on academic performance (Black, Devereux and Salvanes, P. 3). Ortiz (2012) also stated that negative impacts of peer pressure are addiction to illegal drugs, stealing, missing school, smoking cigarettes and taking alcohol and recommended that parents should be carefully with their children. Peer pressure makes people change their values, attitude and behavior to fit in a group (Okorodudu, P. 34). Peer pressure is a major issue that needs to be clearly understood and addressed to ensure the success of our children. Parents also need to understand why their children are involved in risky actives. There are no specific signs that a child has given in to peer pressure but parents should be keen to changes such as clothing, moral beliefs and values, change in behavior, music they listen and language. Parents are the strongest and most appropriate reference point for children in decision making process and they should guide their children until they are responsible adults. To minimize the impact of negative peer pressure parents should establish a good relationship with their children, endeavor to understand their children as well as their children’s friends and their parents, educate their children about peer pressure, be affirmative, recognize positive performance and train them to be independent (Zolten and Long, P. 2). In addition parents can also teach their children how to manage stress and resist negative peer pressure (Philip Morris USA, P.8). Research hypothesis Peer pressure is a global issue that can affect any one from children to adult but children and teenagers are most likely to be affected by negative peer pressure. In the modern world most parents and influential people are busy and therefore children spend most of their time with their peers who can influence their behaviors, values and beliefs. The influence can be negative or positive. Studies exist on causes and effects of peer pressure while there is limited studies on how to reduce the impact of negative peer pressure on children. Significance of study There are a lot of information in regard to causes and effects of peer pressure. The study will seek to bridge the existing gaps on how to reduce the impact of negative peer pressure on children. Research questions 1. What are the negative effects of peer pressure in children and teenagers? 2. What are the causes of peer pressure in children and teenagers? 3. How can parents help their children and teenagers overcome the negative impactsof peer pressure? 4. To what extent does positive family relationship impacts adolescents’ behavior and reaction to negative peer pressure? Methodology and design This study proposes a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to investigate how to reduce the impact of negative peer pressure on children. Random questioners will be issued to various groups including parents, teenagers, religion leaders and teachers. Sampling design The study will collect data through questioners from 50 respondents who will be selected by simple random sampling technique Data collection method The research will use open ended as well as structured question questioners in order to get different information from the respondent. This information may differ from one person to another depending on their opinion towards peer pressure, its effects and how to minimize its effects on children. Data analysis and presentation All questioners will be reviewed before analysis to ensure there is completed. The responses from these questioners will be analyzed using frequency tables and graphs and analytical values that are standard deviation, mean and variance. Data will be analyzed using statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) and presented in form of graphs, charts tables and percentages. Limitations to the study The study will be carried out in a short period of time while the target groups are not found in the same location and these is the reason for small sample size. Reference Black, Sandra, E., Devereux, Paul,J. and Salvanes, Kjell, G. “Youth smoking prevention under pressure?: The Effect of Peers on Outcomes of Young Adults.” Discussion paper series.( 2010). Okorodudu, Grace, Nwamaka. “Peer pressure and socioeconomic status as predictors of student’s attitude to examination malpractice in Nigeria.”International Journal of Education (2013). Ortiz, Harriet. “Negative Effects of Peer Pressure" Journal of a Young Lady. (2012) http://harrietortiz.blogspot.com/2012/12/negative-effects-of-peer-pressure.html Perkins, Wesley. “College student misperceptions of alcohol and other drug norms among peers: Exploring causes, consequences, and Implications for prevention programs.” ( n.d.). Hobart and William Smith Colleges Philip Morris USA, “Peer pressure & smoking.” The raising kids who don’t smoke Series Vol. 2: Issue 2 (2005). Zolten, Kristin , and Long, Nicholas. “Dealing with peer pressure and bad companions.” Center for effective parenting (2006). Read More