Peers: good or bad?

 Peers…Maybe you asked yourself what does it mean? First of all, “peers” mean people who are in the same group and sometimes equals in age. But it might have a bad side and a good one. 

  Bad peer pressure is being forced into doing something that you didn't want to do, because your friends said that you should. Friends have a tendency to think that they know what is best for you; they always offer their opinion whether it is wanted or not. Well, if friends are going to tell you what to do, what can you do about it? The most basic thing that you can do is to say "No, I don't wish to do that!" or if you want to do it, say "Yes, I will do that!" There are many cases when your friends tell you to do bad things which are forbidden. The problem arises when your friends constantly ask you to do something. This seems like a difficult task, doesn't it? It takes a big amount of will power to be able to stand up to the people that you know and trust ... your friends. You should be prepared to make these decisions and if you want to make a good decision you must be educated on that topic. Before engaging in a specific situation, you should take the time to read about each one and the possible drawbacks before you decide to try or not to try anything. We may have always been taught other people's opinions. We think that it’s better that one finds out what will happen, how it will happen, and get whatever information that you need to make an educated decision. 

   On the other hand, good peer pressure is being pushed into something that you didn't have the courage to do or just didn't think to do. However, as you think about it, it seems like a good thing to do. It can also be a situation when your friends convince you not to do something you were going to do because it wasn't in your best interest. When the time comes for you to make these decisions, it’s important to think before deciding. Also, knowing who is asking you to do something helps you make the decision. Knowing who to listen to and who to avoid is the biggest step in fighting negative peer pressure. 

    It's your life and your responsibility for determining what you’re going to make.