Page 23 - Holistic Horizons - 7

THINK & REFLECT

• Why do you want to be popular?

• Do you feel you are popular among your
peers? Why?

• What steps have you taken to become popular
among your peers?

• Have you ever been pressurised to do something
you were not interested in?

BEING POPULAR AMONG PEERS IS A DREAM OF MANY

Whether we admit it or not, all of us want to be popular among our peers and want others to look
up to us with pride, as this makes us feel worthy, valued and desired. In reality, there is nothing
wrong with wanting to be popular. However, what really matters is the way we choose to become

popular and also what we consider ‘cool’. Many times, we may give in to the unreasonable demands
of our peers who push us to do dangerous things like drinking, smoking, consuming drugs,
bunking, etc as a way to establish a ‘cool’ image and to hang
bunking, etc as a way to establish a ‘cool’ image and to hang
out with the ‘right’ crowd. Th is may obviously prove to be
out with the ‘right’ crowd. Th is may obviously prove to be
very harmful for our health, studies as well as having
very harmful for our health, studies as well as having a a
long-term negative impact on our entire lives. Often one
long-term negative impact on our entire lives. Often one
is required to engage in such behaviours as a way of
is required to engage in such behaviours as a way of
feeling accepted by our peers and avoiding rejection
feeling accepted by our peers and avoiding rejection
and ridicule from them.

Peer pressure can be positive or negative.
Positive peer pressure pushes us to be our best by
motivating us to compete in diff erent curricular
and co-curricular activities. It also gives us a sense
of belonging and support, introduces us to new hobbies and interests, increases self confi dence and
enhances positive habits and attitudes. Negative peer pressure is when we are pushed to engage in
inappropriate behaviours such as bunking, lying, stealing, drug experimentation, driving at a high
speed, bullying, shoplifting, etc as a way of being accepted as a part of the ‘cool’ group. Th is can make
us feel guilty or disappointed as it makes us acts in ways that are contrary to our and our family’s core
belief systems and values.

HOW TO HANDLE PEER HOW TO AVOID NEGATIVE
PRESSURE WELL PEER PRESSURE

Avoid judging people and try to accept them Never put down or ridicule others as when
as they are. you make others look bad, it is actually your
image that seems to go down more.

21