You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Young people are often influenced by their peers. Do the advantages of peer pressure outweigh the disadvantages? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

MODEL ANSWER>>>

People are seen polarized when discussing the peer group influence among young people. Admitting the factor that peer presence is very crucial in the normal growth and development, I feel it can be qualified only based on situations.

On the one hand, when appropriate supervision is ensured, peer pressure tends to act positively on the young population. It can be seen students at schools and at intermediates performing better in their academics, sports and cultural activities simply because of the factor: peer pressure. Similarly, when the peers have good morals and character, and when the members are long-time acquaintances which are known by the parents and elders of the locality, this influence tends to be more positive. Above all, it should be understood that a good peer group influence is cardinal in the normal developmental span of a youngster to advance to his next stage of life, and make them good social beings.

On the other hand, when peers are not supervised or given absolute freedom, negative consequences might mushroom. To be precise, the young population is the easiest targets of the anti-social elements in any society. Targeting just one member of the peer group is more than enough for them to bring the whole group under their influence. It can be seen that when an enquiry is made on the root cause of an illegal activity or a bad habit such as smoking, the most likely cause is the peer pressure. Another vulnerable factor is the attitude of the young. They are agile, aggressive and are more likely to experiment with risk elements. The peer pressure acts as a catalyst to this behavior and this eventually ends up in catastrophes.

To recapitulate, even though there are divided sections in the society who favour peer influence either more or less among the youth, I would say it depends on the circumstances.