INTRODUCTION

To be a member of a peer group is the primary goal of most teenagers during adolescence. The feeling of belonging and social acceptance is very strong at this stage of development. This is why peer influence plays a huge part in steering the experiences and interest of teenagers. When teens are searching for their identity and the concepts that they want to define themselves by, social influences and peer interaction play a huge part in this process. These two factors can help form the teen into what he/she wants to be, or whom he/she fears of being. Peer pressure can be described as the influence exerted by a peer group in encouraging a person to change his or her attitudes, values, or behaviors to conform to the group. A person affected by peer pressure may or may not want to belong to these groups. They may also recognize dissociative groups that they do not wish to belong to, and therefore adopt behaviors in opposition to those of the group (Adams, 1996). In addition, peer pressure is the phenomenon where a person is persuaded directly or by implied means to comply and be in agreement with other individuals who belong to the same group. This phenomenon exists at all groups. It is often used, whether intentionally or otherwise, as a persuasive force to make a person adopt the same beliefs, goals and values in order to be part of the group and to be permitted to participate in their activities.

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Similarly, peer pressure is the social pressure by members of ones peer group to take a certain action, adopt certain values, or otherwise conform in order to be accepted. It is a powerful mental force that influences everyone, but it could bring about good or bad effects depending on the group of people around the individual. The effects of peer pressure could be seen throughout everyones daily lives everywhere, be it at school, at work, or within the general community. Peers are the persons we normally spend time with and we are able to identify with. Among young children and teenagers, they are usually friends of the same age, schoolmates or children who live in the same neighborhood. It's something most parents don't want to hear, but the sad fact is that the most influential people in your teen's life are their friends. Most parents like to think that they have some say in what their teenage child does, but the truth is that most parents sorely underestimate the power of peer pressure. In the stage of being a teenager there are times when they are trying to find their identity and the way to find out is by joining groups or clubs. It can be really lonely having no peer groups. The enjoyment of a group that can form a personality that they will might carry for a long time or even through their life. In some ways a teenagers life can be influenced in the way his gr oup behaves. It depends on how each one cooperates with each other. In addition to, your peers are the people with whom you identify and spend time. In children and teens, they are usually, but not always, of the same age group. In adults, peers may be determined less by age and more by shared interests or professions. Peer pressure occurs when an individual experiences implied or expressed persuasion

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to adopt similar values, beliefs, and goals, or to participate in the same activities as those in the peer group. Some people dont know how peer pressure effects people. The effect of peer pressure varies with age. Peer pressure effects all ages but it peaks during teenage years. The reason it peaks during teenage years is because people are very socially active at that time in their life. Peer pressure is not avoidable because everyone experiences it in their lifetime. Peer pressure can only be resisted. Peer pressure resistance declines as people are in their teenage years. Peer pressure also effect genders differently. According to David Maxfield (2008), the effect of peer pressure on a person can be positive or negative. Sometimes, peer pressure can make a person do things against his or her beliefs. It can be used negatively, for example, to incite hatred, purchase unwanted things and develop bad habits like smoking and uncontrolled drinking. Peer pressure can also bring about positive effects, like in improving an individuals academic results. This is if the individual associates with the right group of friends who, for example encourage each other in their studies. Peer group pressure is a major problem for teens, caused by influences imposed by others in and their wanting to fit into certain groups. Society labeled the more negative peer groups as gangs or cults. Teens in such groups feel they receive prestige from the association. Most teens or adolescents feel that being in a group gives them popularity with their peers. The average teen feels pressure either from the school, peers, or parents; thus enticing the need to

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belong to groups. They often become involved in violence, use of alcohol or drugs, and sex and other forms of peer influence. However, not all peer group pressure is a negative influence, such as academic and athletic achievement (Castrogiovanni, 1994). In the same vein, according to Harris (1998), peer pressure can cause people to do things they would not normally do, example take drugs, smoke, sex, play pranks, cut class, steal and even break rules. The level of peer influence generally increases as children grow, and resistance to peer influence often declines as children gain independence from the family or caregivers, and before they fully form an adult identity. Pre-school children tend to be the least aware of peer pressure, and are the least influenced by the need to conform. However with more social interactions outside the home and more awareness of others, the influence of peers increases. Peer pressure is not always a bad thing. We are all influenced by our peers, both negatively and positively, at any age.Thus, peer pressure can be used in a positive way if used properly. Teens must know what the difference between good and bad peer pressure. They also must have a good influence from friends. The effects of peer pressure vary from person to person. Thus, the goal of studying peer pressure is to examine how teenagers decision-making processes are influenced by peer pressure. To provide an information and new ideas on how to deal with the effects of peer pressure on teenage life. To discuss the consequences associated with the adolescent stage.

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This will also provide brief description on the various significances of the study. The primordial purpose of the study is to provide the students with a complete and balance education by avoiding peer pressure. Thus, the results of this study will benefit the students, the school administrators, and especially the parents who are concerned about the behavior of their children. Lastly, it will provide comprehensive information for counselors, educators, and parents on how they can assist adolescents to deal with peer pressure.

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

In this chapter the research methodology used in the study is described. The geographical area where the study was conducted, the study design and the population and sample are described. The instrument used to collect the data, including methods implemented to maintain validity and reliability of the instrument are described. The researcher used descriptive methodwherein data gathered from previous study and survey or interview questionnaire were used to gather information for the research question proposed.The researcher used survey questionnaire to gather facts from the respondents. The questionnaire contains ten questions to be answered by the respondents. It is used to prove and answer the questions regarding the study. It can be a concrete source of information because it involves the people who are needed to this study.The researcher used this method to obtain information concerning the current status of the effects of peer pressure to teenager with respect to variables or conditions in a situation. The respondent of the study includes the 1st year education students of Liceo de Cagayan University. The respondent is only limited to thirty sample from 20 % of one hundred thirty-six 1st year education students. The coverage of this study is focused only on the effects of peer pressure to teenager in building their personality. This study also focuses on the factors to be considered by the teenagers in dealing with peer pressure. This study will discuss also the pressure involves in peers.This is also to give emphasis to the pressure that the teenagers
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will encounter during their maturity and possible experiences. This study will no longer discuss other matters of peer pressure and also the cases and sensitive issues involving peer pressure. Also, this study will no longer cater those in 2 nd year students until fourth year. In interpreting the data findings, the researcher used a kind of statistical treatment in a way of frequency count and getting its corresponding percentage. The duration of the study only lasts for three months which started last November 2013.

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FINDINGS

This section organizes the results of the study. It discusses the data gathered before, during and after the implementation of the research. Question # 1.1 What kind of things do your schoolmates pressure you to do? n=30 Smoke Break rules Cut class Have sex Steal Play pranks Others F 2 11 18 2 2 3 6 % 7% 37% 60% 7% 7% 23% 20%

Table 1.1 shows that 60% of the respondents have pressured their peers to cut class and is the most rampant thing students do to pressure their peers, on the other hand, sex involvement, stealing and smoking tallied only 4% means its the least thing students commit. According to Nina Setterberg (2012), friends at school may ask you to join in skipping classes with them just for fun. Question # 1.2 Which of these pressures have yougiven in to?

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n=30 Smoking Breaking rules Drug use Stealing Cutting class Playing pranks Sleeping w/someone

F 2 11 0 1 18 4 2

% 7% 37% 0 3% 60% 13% 7%

Table 1.2 reveals that more than half of the respondents have given into cutting of classes as what their schoolmates have pressured them to do. The result also showed that stealing is present in the college of education as to 3% of the respondents mentioned that they were given into stealing. In the statement of Harris (1998), people do things that they do not normally do like cutting classes, breaking rules, stealing and other forms of peer pressure. Question # 1.3 What is the hardest pressure to resist? n=30 From friends From your family From stranger From school F 16 9 1 5 % 53% 30% 3% 17%

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From your love one

1%

Table 1.3 shows that 53% of the respondents says that the pressure from friends is the hardest to resist while from stranger only earned 3% and is the least to resist. According to Castrogiovanni (1994), most teens or adolescents feel that being in a group gives them popularity with their peers or friends. The average teen feels pressure either from the school, peers, or parents; thus enticing the need to belong to groups. Question # 2.1 Is it hard to say NO to friends? n=30 Yes No TOTAL F 18 12 30 % 60% 40% 100%

Table 2.1 shows that 60% of the respondents agreed that saying no to friends is hard. A little less than half of the respondents agreed that it is not hard to say no to friend. According to Mark Gorkin (2013), it is difficult to say no, especially when it is to a friend. Fear of Retribution or Rejection is the reason why it is hard to say no to a friend or peers. Question # 2.2 Have you ever pressured a friend into doing something positive or negative? n=30 F
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Yes No TOTAL

16 14 30

53% 47% 100%

Table 2.2 shows that more than half of the respondents concede that they have pressured a friend into doing positive or negative while less than half of the respondents denied that they didnt pressured a friend in neither doing positive nor negative. On the statement of Castrogiovanni (1994), teens often pressured their peers in a positive and negative way. For example, they often become involved in violence, use of drugs, and sex and other forms of peer influence. However, not all peer group is a negative influence, such as academic and athletic achievements. Question # 2.3 Is peer pressure a bad thing? n=30 Yes No TOTAL F 22 8 30 % 73% 27% 100%

Table2.3showsthat73%oftherespondentsagreedthatpeerpressureisabadthing.Whi letheremaining27%oftherespondentsansweredthatpeerpressureisnotalways abadthing. Butaccording to David Maxfield (2008), peer pressure is not always

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bad. Good friends can encourage teens to do well in school, get involved in positive activities, volunteer, avoid drugs, alcohol, and other risky activities. Question # 2.4 How many times do you experience peer pressure? n=30 Once 2-3 times 4-5 times 6 above TOTAL F 8 15 0 7 30 % 27% 50% 0 23% 100%

Table 2.4 shows that 50% of the respondents have identified that they are pressured 2-3 times. The results also show that peer pressure is rampant in the college of education as to 23% of the respondents mentioned that they were pressured 6 times and above. According to Womens and Children Health Network, everybody, no matter what age, is faced with pressure to 'fit in'. Experiencing could be more than once. In our teenage years this pressure can be even stronger because no one wants to feel like an outsider. Peer pressure can sneak in and take over your life choices. Question # 2.5 Do you agree that peer pressure can be minimized? n=30 Yes F 27
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% 90%

No TOTAL

3 30

10% 100%

Table 2.5 reveals that 90% of the respondents agreed that peer pressure can be minimized. A little percent of the respondents disagreed on the statement that peer pressure can be lessened. According to Dr. Maryann Rosenthal, peer pressure can be minimized. The most important thing parents can do for their child is to develop a close relationship with him or her.

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CONCLUSION

Based on the research findings, following conclusions are drawn. First, it is really possible to the teenagers to be pressured by their peers and it brings big impact on students behavior. Second, the bad effects of peer pressure that your peers can be avoided if an individual knows what he/she wants on his/her life and choose people who they will allow to enter their lives.Third, bad peers can have a big impact with the involvement of the teenagers to such kind of vices. Lastly, peer pressure is not always bad. It can be used in a positive way if we can handle it properly. Thus, the behavior of a teenager lies on his or her hands. Peer pressure is extremely hard to avoid in our fast-growing world, but we can try to lower the chances of even being pressured. Ideally, a person should make decisions based on a combination of values internalized from the family. Values are also derived from friends and other role models in order to achieve this balance. Rather than attempting to minimize peer influence, families and schools must provide strong belief patterns of behavior, and encourage membership in peer group that engage in positive academic and social activities. For me, I believe the best way peer pressure can be avoided is by hanging out with other teens who have the same boundaries as mine. Positive changes to an individual are possible when teenagers chose the people who also have positive characteristics. Temptations can be avoided and instead of taking considerations only of their selves, an individual can learn how to respect others and be a practical human also with the influence of peers.
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