Peer pressure on children Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Peer pressure on children - Research Paper Example 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 ca ses 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... From the beginning of the paper, the issue and solution of the problem is discussed. 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 research paper focuses on the point that there is 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. The research focuses on such questions as what are the negative effects of peer pressure in children and teenagers? What are the causes of peer pressure in children and teenagers? How can parents help their children and teenagers overcome the negative impactsof peer pressure? To what extent does positive family relationship impacts adolescents’ behavior and reaction to negative peer pressure? In conclusion, 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.