Peer pressure, sexuality, and drug use during adolescence

¶ … Childhood and Adolescence Development

There are many changes individuals undergo during adolescence -- a period occasioned by rapid developmental growth. This period brings with itself a lot of excitement as teens gain maturity and attain a new level of freedom. However, it also has its own unique challenges. Although intensified peer relationships play a key role in helping teens navigate this period, the choice of friends and by extension peer pressure could either impede or aid a teen's moral and social growth. Some of the social pressures teens face during this stage include but they are not limited to experimentation with drugs and sexual exploration.

Pressures Faced in Adolescence

Sexuality and Dating

When it comes to sexuality and dating, it is important to note that teenage years are characterized by strong sexual impulses. In seeking to explore their sexuality and given their changing relations with the opposite sex, it is during this stage that most teenagers start dating. According to Franiuk (as cited in Martin and Fabes, 2008), "one of the biggest changes and challenges in adolescence is the development of dating and romantic relationships." Teenage romance has both positive and negative effects. Anger occasioned by rejection is one of the negative effects of teenage romance. There is also the risk of early pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. This is more so the case given that romantic relationships at this stage have sexual exploration as a key feature (Kail and Cavanaugh, 2008). For this reason, teenagers at this stage need emotional support. Such support may come from parents or peers.

Peer Pressure

In seeking to get in touch with their personal identity, teens tend to develop relationships that are rather intense with their counterparts. Peer pressure according to Newman and Newman (2008) calls for conformity to the various norms of a group as well as demonstrated loyalty and commitment to members of the said group. Negative peer pressure is often an issue of concern in this case. Here, teens are likely to engage in risky undertakings such as gang activity so as to please their friends.

Changes within Family Relationships

Lastly, changes within family relationships can be viewed as yet another problem teens have to contend with in adolescence. Martin and Fabes (2008) note that existing family relationships may have to be altered during adolescence so as "to allow adolescents more involvement in social relationships beyond the family…and more independent decision making about lifestyle preferences." Due to peer pressure, it is likely for a teen at this stage to compromise familial values thus becoming rebellious.