Peer Pressure – Still???

by leighgray | January 17, 2012 1:23 am

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Passionate about faith & family. Spilling my heart out for you through the words I write. Always looking for freelance opportunities to inspire others.

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How Much of What We Do is Motivated by Peer Pressure?

I was thinking this thought one morning…the thought of how much we do in life that is really for us because WE want to do it, and how much we do because we are motivated by what others will think or by what others are doing.

 

In a nutshell: how much of what we do is from peer pressure?

I remember when I was younger and I thought that peer pressure mainly centered around teens. But I was wrong. Peer pressure exists in all stages and walks of life.  And if you’re ready to raise your hand and say that you don’t personally deal with it in your life…let’s take a closer look.

 

*How many of us focus on the appearance of our homes in order to maintain a certain “standard” that is pleasing to guests? How many of us don’t have guests over at all because we think our homes aren’t nice or fancy enough?

 

*How many of us enroll our kids in camps or clubs because “everyone is going” or we are told that in order for them to maintain a certain level of play that they have to invest in this camp or club?

 

*How many of us shop at certain stores or wear certain brands because that radiates a certain acceptable image in society?

 

*How many of us rush out to see the latest movie because we know everyone will be talking about it and we don’t want to have to say, “I haven’t seen it?”

 

Those are just a few examples. There are hundreds more. Whether we like it or not, we are affected by society and those around us. We eat, dress, listen, see, and make choices in our lives because of peer pressure.
That’s why it’s so important who we surround ourselves with. It’s important to know what we feel and think so that we aren’t easily influenced by others who may not be as confident in knowing what they want for their life.
Just because “everyone is doing it” or “everyone is seeing it” or “everyone is wearing it” doesn’t mean that it’s a wise choice or decision.  People are flocking to things in the quest to be viewed as worthy. Yet we forget that it is not other people that have the right to give us worth. Only God does that.

 

We sacrifice a piece of ourselves when we allow ourselves to be so easily influenced by mainstream standards. We lose a little bit of our individuality and a lot of times a great deal of our morals and values.
Peer pressure isn’t always obvious. A lot of times it’s very subtle. It’s in that flyer that comes home from school requesting that everyone contribute to a certain fund or cause or it’s in the event held at your church or school that everyone “Should” be attending. Peer pressure is obligation despite not wanting to participate.

 

Those of us who find the courage to do what’s different or say “no” to what everyone else is doing may be shocking to a lot of people. Not everything is a bad cause or endeavor. But that still doesn’t mean it’s best for our family or fits in with our time constraints and personalities.   But it’s in our right to choose and we need to remember we have that freedom – that ability.
When we can do it, it feels so good. So welcomed.

The thing is – even though others may give you a hard time about it, there will be even others who respect you for your stand against the flow of the tide. And those people will follow your example; learning to find their own voice again too.  Then we will all start learning again that it’s okay to not join that club. It’s ok to not have THAT house, it’s okay to be the last one to see the movie or to not even see it at all. You’re not a loser. You’re not unworthy. You’re just You. Beautiful in all your uniqueness and more confident for not falling prey to the pressures of the masses.
Try it. Reclaim your voice. It’s not as painful as you think it will be.

Source URL: http://leighgray.com/2012/01/peer-pressure-still/

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