Peer Pressure: n. , The influence exerted by a peer group in encouraging a person to change his or her attitudes, values, or behavior in order to conform to the group.

Youth peer pressure is one of the most frequently referred to forms of negative peer pressure. It is particularly common because most youths are forced to spend large amounts of time in fixed groups (schools and subgroups within them) regardless of their opinion of those groups. Here’s a quick reality check, children are not the only ones.
Today, adult men and women are faced with many pressures of believing that they should project a certain image or accept a certain view in order to be validated in this world. Men and women, young and old, have at one point been tempted to “keep up with the Joneses”. The media is constantly promoting their ideas of what people ought to be. Because of the overexposure to these empty societal influences we tend to justify our wants and make ill advised decisions that effect our health, quality of life, self esteem, relationships, and so on. For some of us, the inability to say “no” pushes us to over commit ourselves and end up in undesirable situations. We use extreme diets, dress a certain way, wear certain brands, associate with a specific groups and disassociate ourselves with who we really are. Sure, we want to feel good, look good, be appealing, be agreed with, and receive a sense of belonging, but it is amazing how far we will go to get it.

It is very important to have confidence in yourself and have the boldness to stand up for what you genuinely believe in regardless of scornful words and gestures. When the controlling, manipulative, and destructive criticism come your way, will you crumble under pressure or defy the odds with dignity?