There is a bitter truth that people hardly want to listen to. It is a Yoruba proverb that says, “The sheep that move with dogs will eat feces.”

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, a “peer” is a person who belongs to the same age group or social group as someone else. Therefore, someone at your level or age can be regarded as your peer.

Peers play a large role in your growth, experience, and development through direct or indirect influence. Peers also contribute to the kind of mindset you develop. Peer influence, undeniably, has some positive effects. For example, healthy competition among your peers could push you to be better academically, morally, and behaviorally. However, it is still indisputable that the negative effects of peer influence can be terrible.

Peer pressure, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is the feeling that you must do the same things as your friends of the same age and social group to be liked or respected by them. It is easy for people, especially teenagers, and youths, to succumb to peer pressure to be liked by their friends.

A lot of adolescents and young adults around us succumb to smoking, drinking, having premarital sex, using hard drugs, and doing other evil and immoral acts due to pressure from their friends. Many youths, especially girls, have lost their pride and dignity. Adolescents with promising futures have had their lives ruined because of the haste for wealth. The mentality of “My friend bought a car, so I must also buy a car” has led many of them to make decisions that will have negative consequences for the rest of their lives or a significant portion of their lives. The desire to “feel among” has influenced them negatively, and they would go to any length to ensure they fit in with their friends, even if they had to engage in actions that were against their morals.

So what should you do in order not to succumb to peer pressure?

Here’s a valuable secret that can help you resist negative influence:

• Maintain virtuous relationships. A proverb says, “Show me your friend, and I’ll tell you who you are.” This means that the kind of friends you keep is a reflection of who you are. Therefore, if you move with people who engage in immoral behavior, it is a reflection of who you are, and vice versa. As time goes on, you will begin to pick up traits from your friends, either good or bad. Hence, the need to be conscious of the people you associate with and the need to choose the right relationship.
• It is understandable that, as humans, we tend to associate with our mates because we are social beings. However, it is important to also note that good things come to those who wait. It is better to be patient and seek out upright people to be friends with. Rather than become fast friends with people who can cause one to head in the direction of destruction.
• Another secret that can help you resist negative influence is to study the kind of person you want to hang out with. Some make friends with people without knowing their behavior or anything about them. This could occur in a formal institution like a school. A school brings together people with different perspectives, tribes, mentalities, and experiences. The purpose of attending school is to be able to accomplish your dreams and acquire a greater sense of discipline and critical thinking skills, among others. These can, however, be hindered by unhealthy and unethical friendships with the wrong people.
• In addition, parents have the power to guide their children. Parents must ensure that they create enough time for their children. They must know the kind of friends their children keep.
• More importantly, the ability to say “no” when necessary is a quality that you must cultivate. You need to confidently resist whatever others exert on you to influence you into thinking or acting the way they do. Rather than succumbing, you must follow your values and stand for what is right.

You must be assertive enough to say NO to any ungodly relationships.

You have the power of choice!!

You either choose to be in control or to be controlled. It is all about your decision.

BUILD RELATIONSHIPS, BUT MAKE THEM VALUABLE.

I hope you got value.

 ADEBAYO SEKINAT

Image Credit- Freepik