Thursday, December 01, 2011

Friday Loose Bloggers Consortium: Peer Pressure

When I think about the topic of peer pressure, I recall a very vivid memory of my teenage years. We had lived in Texas, but moved away when I was about 15 1/2. Some time later we went back to Texas, and went to church in our old congregation. I had made some changes in the way I looked, and everyone was quite surprised. I had long scraggly hair when I lived there, but had cut it short, and had it styled. I had begun to wear makeup and had new clothes. The teacher in my Sunday school class that day talked about peer pressure. I told him that I didn't feel like I was susceptible to the ifluence of peer pressure. He disagreed, and told me that all teenagers are effected by peer pressure. But I argued that I didn't care what other kids did, and that I wasn't affected by the pressure at all. He got very angry the more I disagreed with him. lol I think he finally gave up because I was being so stubborn.

In some ways he was right, and in some ways I was right. I really would never do certain things, no matter what my friends might do. In fact, I was often the "mother" of the group, and would tell them not to do things that I didn't think were right. And if they started to do something that I disapproved of, I would leave if necessary. I never really got in to any of the really social aspects of school. I was kind shy and didn't go to the parties and dances. When you don't hang out with a lot of kids, you don't get pressure from them. :)

But I think in some ways I was influenced subtly. I was concerned about how I dressed, and how I looked. I didn't have money to buy the latest fashions, but I did the best with what I had. Maybe that actually helped me to push back on the peer pressure. But there are unspoken expectations put on teenagers, whether the consciously realize it or not.

Is there peer pressure for 50 year old women? I guess there are cultural expectations for a woman my age, but I've always tended to be a loner, and even today I still do not really get in to the social scene. But I like to think that my personality is strong enough that I am not easily influenced by others. What about you?

Check out what the other consortium members have to say about peer pressure!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

We are all subject to peer pressure - unless you hide in a cave like a St Kevinish hermit. Just depends how you react.

Hello from a fellow LBCer.

Shackman said...

Maybe you just grew up and the returning version was simply a more mature young lady. Plus, were you raised LDS? That in and of itself constitutes peer pressure doesn't it? Your friends were lucky to have a group mother :-)

Grannymar said...

Is there peer pressure for 50 year old women? Only if you allow it.

Delirious said...

Yes Shackman, I grew up LDS, and I do think that was a huge factor in my being able to push back the peer pressure. Kids who aren't taught any "right or wrong" principles don't know where they should stand when the pressure comes. But being raised with a high set of standards helped me to know which things I should avoid.

Vid said...

There is no peer pressure. I attend a high school, and I can be whoever I am there. My friends don't change who I am; I picked friends based on my preexisting personality.

Nene said...

I think there is a lot of peer pressure in 50+ women. I see lots and lots of it and these women also make comments to me as to why I basically don't do the things they do, if you know what I mean. In many ways, these women remind me of the teenagers they used to be. They are just older, but still influenced by the obsession to constantly look younger, skinnier, the best dressed, the best makeup, most stylish hair, etc, etc. I think of all their efforts and wonder if their time could be put to better use. That's my rant....

Rummuser said...

But of course there is peer pressure on women and men in the middle and senior years - to get their act together, exercise, look trim, look nice, get a nose job or whatever done and so on and so forth. It takes character to choose what one wants to do with one's life and get on with it without succumbing to such pressure. If I am willing to live and let live, I expect my peers to let me live my way too. So, if I am over weight, I am not going to sleep over it because of peer pressure, but because of medical advise, I will try and reduce the weight.