Adolescence Peers

Peers

To most adolescents, how their peers see them can play an important role on their everyday lives. When I look back on my adolescent years, I can recall a lot of enjoyable times with my peers such as talking on telephone till I was tired, going to places like the mall, movies, and out to eat, or just plain hanging out. According to the book, peers are children or adolescents who are about the same age or maturity level. Peers can also provide a source of information about the world outside of the family. Especially being an only child, I probably would have been an antisocial and depressed person if it wasn't for my peers because I was able to express my feelings, thoughts, and problems with someone that relates to me and my age.

Peers can cause positive and negative effects on peer relations. Positive peer relations link to positive social adjustment. For example, I was able to resolve conflicts and disagreements with my peers by telling them how I felt and listening to how they feel. According to theorist Harry Sullivan, having peers can also reflect your intimacy skills. "Having a close relationship with friends will build a stronger foundation of later dating and marital relationships." As stated, peer relations can also cause negative effects. Children and adolescents that are rejected by their peers can feel lonely, which might reflect their mental health or cause criminal problems. Even if the person has friends, their peers can also introduce them to negative things such as alcohol, drugs, sex and crimes.

Individuals' adopting the behaviors of others because of pressure is called conformity. Conformity is very strong during the adolescence years, because they feel like if they do not be like a particular group then they would not be accepted. Examples of peer pressures of conformity includes having the latest fashion, liking the same types of music, speaking the same type of language or slang, sharing same values and leisure activities. Just like peer relations, conformity can cause positive and negative effects on adolescents. Negative forms of conformity behavior can include stealing, using explicit language, cheating, and making fun of others. However, not all conformity is negative. Positive conformity may include being involved in extracurricular activities, getting good grades, dressing like friends, and spending quality time with members of a clique. During my adolescent years, I dealt with a more positive conformity. I was in the magnet program and I was pressured into getting the good grades in class, and being involved in the extracurricular activities. The peers in my school that