As already mentioned in the first chapter, the aim of the current study is to determine how boys at single-gender schools experience peer pressure. It is, therefore, imperative that a thorough analysis of peer pressure is made. More specifically, this chapter is a review of topics including what a peer group is, what peer groups provide for adolescents, facts about adolescent peer relations, how peer pressure affects academic performance and socialisation, gender and how they manifest in adolescent peer groups, contributing factors to negative peer pressure, and contributing factors to positive peer pressure. Before an analysis of peer pressure and all the above mentioned components of peer pressure can be discussed, it is important to look
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During adolescence, social networks significantly expand to include more people and many different types of relationships. Therefore, adolescent social development involves a dramatic change in the quantity and quality of social relationships. During the adolescent years, peer groups become increasingly important as adolescents experience more closeness in these friendships and more gratifying relationships with their peers as a result.
In the next section of this chapter, peer groups will be explored. Firstly peer groups are defined and then the different types of peer groups, as grouped by Brown (1989: 189), are discussed. Thereafter, the functions of the peer group will be discussed. These include social interactions and communication, security, confidence and support, social skills and roles, development of self-concept and identity, to name a few. Thereafter, the factors that influence the formation of peer groups will be highlighted in order to determine why certain peer groups are …show more content…
In the literature it is evident that most of the research relating to peer pressure or peer influence, defines peer pressure as being negative, effects focus on the socialisation of antisocial, deviant and health-risk behaviours. Peer pressure strongly influences behaviour in children and adolescents, influencing them to say the “right” thing, to wear the “right” clothes, or to coerce them into performing negative behaviours (such as using illicit drugs, drinking, cheating on a test). Various forms of negative peer pressure are discussed, such as smoking, drug and alcohol use, anti-social behaviour, crime and poor academic
During adolescence, social networks significantly expand to include more people and many different types of relationships. Therefore, adolescent social development involves a dramatic change in the quantity and quality of social relationships. During the adolescent years, peer groups become increasingly important as adolescents experience more closeness in these friendships and more gratifying relationships with their peers as a result.
In the next section of this chapter, peer groups will be explored. Firstly peer groups are defined and then the different types of peer groups, as grouped by Brown (1989: 189), are discussed. Thereafter, the functions of the peer group will be discussed. These include social interactions and communication, security, confidence and support, social skills and roles, development of self-concept and identity, to name a few. Thereafter, the factors that influence the formation of peer groups will be highlighted in order to determine why certain peer groups are …show more content…
In the literature it is evident that most of the research relating to peer pressure or peer influence, defines peer pressure as being negative, effects focus on the socialisation of antisocial, deviant and health-risk behaviours. Peer pressure strongly influences behaviour in children and adolescents, influencing them to say the “right” thing, to wear the “right” clothes, or to coerce them into performing negative behaviours (such as using illicit drugs, drinking, cheating on a test). Various forms of negative peer pressure are discussed, such as smoking, drug and alcohol use, anti-social behaviour, crime and poor academic