While peer pressure can keep you on solid ground, there are some potential hazards. The biggest of these is that there can be a chain reaction created, where everyone agrees in order to present a solid front and to avoid being singled out. While this show of support can be great, there are some times when you need to be the voice that disagrees with everyone else. It can be difficult, especially as there is always the possibility of very real physical harm. Nonetheless, you need to break be able to break from the crowd.
For some kids this is easy as they don't care about popularity, or they have actually based their popularity on not caring about peer pressure. In some cases it may even be necessary to bring in an adult or other authority figure. Another option is to be friends with someone who helps define public opinion among the peer group so that you can mention to him that things may be getting out of hand. However, you will need to figure out a way to deal with the issue on your own.
Most of the time you will disagree with the crowd come in three shapes. The first is that a decision must be made, and a vote is made; in such a case try to make your point of view heard and then either go with the decision or bow out. Bowing out may seem a bit cowardly, but only if you do it a lot. Keep in mind that if you always make your point made and bow out, others will start ignoring you; if you want to have an opinion in something it helps to know that you'll go with whatever decision is reached. The best option in these cases to establish yourself as at least a voice of wisdom if not THE voice of wisdom so that others will at least listen to you. Keep in mind that this means generally going with the flow but occasionally, and on important matters, disagreeing with the majority, making this a hard thing to master.
The second is when emotions have reached a fever pitch and you can't really do anything about it; you must either ride the wave or get out of its way and deal with the repercussions later. You're just not going to be able to change the flow unless you deal something drastic, and that means focusing everyone's attention on you; that requires a certain amount of bravery and may lead to some potential danger later on. The third is when a decision has been reached but you disagree with the decision; you do have the option of rebelling against the decision and carving your own path; this is usually as a point of honor and while respected it can also lead to dangers.
Ultimately the problem of how you deal with the problem is up to you. Just keep in mind that if you don't deal with it the problem is likely to get worse, and you may end up in a situation that is far worse than it started out as. You want to deal with the problem well before it hits that point, making this one of those problems you want to stop as soon as you figure out that there may be a problem. As the decision is yours, this is probably one of the ways in which you earn your stripes, so to speak. Just make the decision that is best for you, and realize that you need to learn to live with it.
For some kids this is easy as they don't care about popularity, or they have actually based their popularity on not caring about peer pressure. In some cases it may even be necessary to bring in an adult or other authority figure. Another option is to be friends with someone who helps define public opinion among the peer group so that you can mention to him that things may be getting out of hand. However, you will need to figure out a way to deal with the issue on your own.
Most of the time you will disagree with the crowd come in three shapes. The first is that a decision must be made, and a vote is made; in such a case try to make your point of view heard and then either go with the decision or bow out. Bowing out may seem a bit cowardly, but only if you do it a lot. Keep in mind that if you always make your point made and bow out, others will start ignoring you; if you want to have an opinion in something it helps to know that you'll go with whatever decision is reached. The best option in these cases to establish yourself as at least a voice of wisdom if not THE voice of wisdom so that others will at least listen to you. Keep in mind that this means generally going with the flow but occasionally, and on important matters, disagreeing with the majority, making this a hard thing to master.
The second is when emotions have reached a fever pitch and you can't really do anything about it; you must either ride the wave or get out of its way and deal with the repercussions later. You're just not going to be able to change the flow unless you deal something drastic, and that means focusing everyone's attention on you; that requires a certain amount of bravery and may lead to some potential danger later on. The third is when a decision has been reached but you disagree with the decision; you do have the option of rebelling against the decision and carving your own path; this is usually as a point of honor and while respected it can also lead to dangers.
Ultimately the problem of how you deal with the problem is up to you. Just keep in mind that if you don't deal with it the problem is likely to get worse, and you may end up in a situation that is far worse than it started out as. You want to deal with the problem well before it hits that point, making this one of those problems you want to stop as soon as you figure out that there may be a problem. As the decision is yours, this is probably one of the ways in which you earn your stripes, so to speak. Just make the decision that is best for you, and realize that you need to learn to live with it.
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