We’re all guilty of it. Peer pressure is one of those things that you really can’t control. Whether you’re on the giving end or the receiving end, it’s a difficult matter. Anyone can say, “Stand strong and don’t give in; do what you know is right.” Or, if it is the other way around, “We should think twice about what we’re asking of our friends—our peers.”
At RPI, there are all kinds of peer pressure of varying degrees. From joining a fraternity, to helping a classmate with homework, to drinking and partying, peer pressure is something we deal with constantly and continuously. It is certainly not something that I intend to try and change with this; I’m more interested in making people aware of its variety and scale.
Peer pressure generally has a strangely negative connotation, but it can be a way our friends help us, too. It is uncommon for peer pressure to be seen in this light because we usually think of it as someone being asked to do something they don’t want to do or wouldn’t normally do. Nevertheless, good friends exert positive peer pressure, too. Maybe you need a break from studying and your friends invite you to watch a movie or your friends might pressure you into making healthy decisions because they actually care about you. If it is uncommon for your friends to care about you, then you might want to find new friends. Truthfully, though, most of us have experienced positive peer pressure and we didn’t realize that is what it was.
Alternatively, the more distinct side of peer pressure, negative peer pressure, is a plague on RPI students. Many students face being forced to drink as part of pledging greek organizations or just being social at college. Certainly, this kind of peer pressure is negative and something we shouldn’t have to deal with, but maybe it is just a fact of life many students have to manage in order to accomplish a greater goal. It will be instrumental in our futures as it prepares us for the real world, making sure we take in the bad and know what to do with it. Learning to realize that something we’re doing will do more harm than good is key.
Still, making good decisions is important. Doing this protects our own interests and may lead us to our goals on a straighter, less bumpy path. So, don’t be afraid to fight off negative peer pressure, when you know it will bring you down. Furthermore, go ahead and take advantage of favorable opportunities, especially if you know it is in your best interest.
