The Role Of Peer Pressure On College Students

“From the moment freshmen set foot on campus, they are steeped in a culture that encourages them to drink, and drink heavily. At many schools, social life is still synonymous with alcohol-lubricated gatherings” (Cohen). Binge drinking is a huge aspect of the culture of college life; many college students binge drink to become socially accepted in a particular group. Binge drinking is not only

“80 percent of teen-agers have tried alcohol, and that alcohol was a contributing factor in the top three causes of death among teens: accidents, homicide and suicide” (Underage, CNN.com pg 3). Students may use drinking as a form of socializing, but is it really as good as it seems? The tradition of drinking has developed into a kind of “culture” fixed in every level of the college student environment. Customs handed down through generations of college drinkers reinforce students' expectation that alcohol is a necessary ingredient for social success. These perceptions of drinking are the going to ruin the lives of the students because it will lead to the development alcoholism. College students who drink a lot, while in a college

Even though risky behavior and peer pressure can have a variety of different meanings for people, typically, it is a relation to drugs or alcohol. Most of the time, it seems that the most well-known types of peer pressure come from friends partaking in a substance such as drugs or alcohol and trying to persuade someone else in the group. According to the article “Peer pressure and risk-taking behaviors in children” by Lewis and Lewis (1984), peer pressure is a major factor in the development of risk-taking behaviors such as alcohol, drug, and tobacco use. (Lewis & Lewis, 1984) Not only are these risk-taking behaviors prevalent throughout life, but most specifically throughout college. In their book Monitoring the future national survey results on drug use Johnston, O’Malley, Bachman, and Schulenberg (2009), all suggest that the biggest difference between college students and their non-college peers is largely due to the environment at college. (Johnston et al., 2009)

With college students, 18-24 years old, problematic drinking has developed into a public health issue across the country. High school student’s anticipation to attend college is at an all-time high due to the embracement of fraternity parties and the drinking that is encouraged, rather than getting an education or degree. I use the word “encouraged” because the partygoers are sometimes pressured to drink to have fun. Not only can alcohol become addictive but it can also lead to experiment with other drugs. In this paper the bio-psychosocial approach will be used to review what is prompting students to abuse alcohol.

Peer Pressure is frequently involved with excessive drinking on college campuses. Alcohol is prominent in the college culture because it is presented at many social affairs and is part of many gatherings with peers. “Because peers are the most salient social referents in the college environment, they are a potent influence on alcohol use. Most new acquaintances at college will be drinkers: recent research indicating that four out of five college students drink. In addition, college peers tend to be more approving of alcohol use.

College students, drinking heavily and using drugs is a persistent problem despite widespread initiatives that promote and limit drinking during and after college. Drinking in college is perceived to enhance socialization, bonding, and make one less inhibited. College, for some is characterized by a high level of freedom and low level of responsibility, and has been seen as time-out from the “real world”. Because many college students think this way, heavy drinking and narcotic use is permissible. Most students who participate in such behavior, seem to expect their future lifestyle to be burdensome and tedious, planning for the future with careers and children; great memories for the good times associated with drug use and drinking is expected.

According to Frye et al. (2010), the Social Norm Theory is a reason why student athletes drink more alcohol than non-athletes. The social norm theory indicates individuals’ behavior relates by false perceptions of how other individuals think and behave in the social environment (Perkins, 2002). An example of the social theory applied to alcohol consumption is athletes might misinterpret the amount of alcohol other peers consume. Therefore, because of the misinterpretation, athletes might consume more alcoholic beverages to become socially accepted among fellow peers. Nevertheless, being part of an athletic team creates close relationships between team members. Hence, according to the

This peer pressure can be especially common when looking at alcohol use and abuse in college students. It might not always be clear cut. For example, when we think of the stereotype of the shy freshman being teased and verbally abused by upperclassmen until they agree to take that one more shot or do a keg stand. However, it is also peer pressure when you and a group of friends are just sitting around watching tv or playing games and you are the only one not drinking. We as humans do not like being the odd one out. If you are the only one not drinking at a party you are being pressured to drink just by the simple presence of alcohol being consumed around you. Sometimes it only takes the simple act of someone asking you if you want a drink. Anne tells us a story about how she went out with her friends without the intention of drinking but when her friend asks her if “I wanted a lemonade-vodka she made.” Anne decides to accept the drink (Vander Ven 2011: p. 34). This is a common theme for people who chose not to drink. They get asked if they want a drink over and over again and eventually, they accept one drink which often leads to multiple drinks. Peer pressure can also affect the amount you drink. Even though a lot of college students drink regularly many of them drink within moderation or at least they just plan to drink in moderation. Even if you only plan one having a couple drinks once you start drinking it is hard to stop if your friends keep cheering you on or offering you one more

College is arguably the single most important transition in an individual’s live which they experience many forms of peer pressure and specific growth patterns. Those individuals fortunate enough to pay for their studies are able to further education far and wide across the globe, not while coming at the cost of many positives stringing some negative. With increased peer pressure and opportunity, some are introduced to a parent’s worst nightmare that being the cause and effects of binge drinking. I plan to delve into the ideas and perspectives of both college students, and researchers to excavate what it is that engulfs college students to consume large amounts of alcohol at a given time, and how the effects translate cordially. With high contrast of various academic articles/scholarly sources, we can see exclusive patterns and importance of this topic not only through gender, but also by age.

Alcohol and drug abuse has been an active habit among college students sense the 1960s. The immediate cause of this behavior was the youth’s need to rebel against the overly conservative American society. This rebellion led to a since of freedom for the young adults, which caused them to continue acting in these unintelligent manners. After a short period of time, late teens just did not belong if they were not participating in the mischievous acts. Substance abuse quickly became a way of life for many young adults. As a result, this inapt behavior still continues today.

For many teenagers , drug abuse, self destructive behavior, and sexual activity may represent efforts to conform to the norms of the group and to demonstrate commitment and loyalty to other group members. . 1The central issue of peer pressure is that individuals are motivated to act and think in certain ways because they have been urged, encouraged, or pressured by a peer to do so. The way a person responds to peer pressure can have an enormous impact on the choices they make and, in turn, their psychological health . There are three forms of peer pressure that exist. They are positive peer pressure , negative peer pressure , and manipulation. Positive peer pressure is not always limited to following and setting a good example of what to do. It can also provide a good example of what not to do. For example,a teenager whose friends do not drink alcohol or do drugs may positively influence the teen to do the same . Another way to demonstrate positive peer pressure is by being a good role model .Sometimes, children may pressure each other to take part in dangerous or self destructive behavior. For example, your friends may try to influence you to do drugs and and try to convince that it will make you look cool even thought you know it won't. The reason

In study after study, peer pressure is associated in adolescents of all ethnic and racial backgrounds with at-risk behaviors such as cigarette smoking, truancy, drug use, sexual activity, fighting, shoplifting, and daredevil stunts. Again, peer group values and attitudes influence more strongly than do family values the level of teenage alcohol use. The more accepting peers are of risky behavior, and the more they participate in that behavior, the more likely a person is to do the same thing.

There are various cause and effects of peer pressure. Peer pressure is pressure or influence from a person’s peers. Peers are often described people of the same age group or social group. Peers will feel the need to be in control and will often surround themselves with weak-minded or people with low self-esteem to have the do their bidding. The causes of peer pressure include the need to fit in, low self-esteem, fear of rejection, and at most time the need to feel safety and security from peers. The effects of peer pressure can be negative and also have the worst outcomes.

Peer pressure in society today has a negative effect on teens and schools should implement programs to help teens battle with peer pressure. Nowadays Peer pressure is a major problem in the lives of teens. These problems not only occur in school, but also outside of schools. If schools decide to implement programs teaching teenagers how to successfully battle peer pressure, a lot of decision-making for teens would be different. Not only in educational programs but in their everyday lives as well.

In society today, people tend to make decisions based on the actions and choices of others. Peer pressure is a very real issue that affects most of the teenagers of the world today. it is a dangerous form of persuasion. It causes teenagers to easily succumb to unethical activities under the influence and pressure of their friends. people see the effects of