Negative Peer Pressure Essay -- Peer Pressure Speech

Go on." "Everybody's doing it." "It's only one drink." "You're such a loser." I didn't know what to do. All these voices were repeating themselves over and over in my head. I didn't want to give into them because I knew what I was doing was wrong. I didn't want everyone to think I was scared but what if my parents found out. Why was I here? Are these people really my friends if they are really doing this to me? These were the vital questions that I didn't know the answers to. I knew in my heart it was wrong but I gave in. This is usually the typical outcome of a scene like this. It is called peer pressure. It can be disguised in many different forms. In this essay I am going to look at different ways in which teenagers can be influenced by peer pressure. Many teenagers experiment with cigarettes, drugs or alcohol. It is likely that they take their first cigarette, drink or drug because of pressure from peers or friends. The influence of friends who smoke is the main reason teenagers start, although you are also more likely to start if your parents do. Cigarettes, like alcohol, are an acquired taste but over eight per cent of people who smoke in their teens become permanently hooked. Often adolescents drink to feel less uncomfortable and more relaxed with friends and peers and because they are encouraged to do so by other teenagers. Regular excessive drinking can lead to poor school work, social and emotional problems, the use of other drugs and sometimes even suicide, The main difference between alcohol or cigarettes and other drugs is that once you are over a certain age you can legally buy alcohol and cigarett... ...y develop other symptoms such as headaches or stomachaches. Some sufferers feel short of energy and want to sleep all the time; others will have difficulty in sleeping and become very tired. Tiredness, lack of interest and difficulty in concentrating can affect schoolwork. Depressed people often lose interest in hobbies and activities and feel cut off from the people around them. They feel worthless and believe they have no power to change the situation they are in. some young people turn to drug or alcohol abuse, sleeping around, crime, skipping school or running away from home. These can all be ways of distracting themselves from their feelings. Depression has to be taken seriously and sufferers need to seek immediate help. Counselling, psychotherapy or sometimes medication can make recovery quicker and easier.