Peer Pressure | Teen Ink

Peer Pressure

October 21, 2012
By Anonymous

Imagine living in a world where you have no control over who you are, what you can and can ‘t do, what job you work at and where you live; even your name is assigned to you. Somebody controls every living aspect of your life, even your thoughts! What a horrible place this world would be to live in.

Just think, we actually face these issues in our own lives. You are probably thinking, no we don’t! I am free to live as I choose, who I am , what I do, and where I go. I am free to do as I please. But really are you? Just think, everyday someone is pressured to having that first cigarette, their first drink or even their first try at drugs. The list is endless…peer pressure is everywhere!

Just saying no is one of the hardest things to do, especially when you are trying to fit in. You want to say no, you want to ask them are you crazy? You even want to walk away and say you are fools? But the pressure of everyone staring at you, waiting to hear the answer they want, you even hear your heart pounding in your chest. It is all so overwhelming that you just want to give in. You want to be apart of this crowd, you want to be accepted by the other person applying the pressure to you, you want them to know that you are cool.

After reading the book Anthem, it really put into light what choices we can make on our own. We are able to think free, live free and make our own decisions. We live in a world where peer pressure is one of the hardest things we have to overcome, to say no to. It happens everyday to someone, whether it is you or me or someone we may not even know.

Well, just like Equality 7-2521 in the book Anthem, he shows you that you don’t have to listen to what others say, you don’t have to be pressured to think like them, feel like them and do what they want you to do. You have choices, you have your own thoughts, and free will. By living your own life and by your values, thoughts and free will you are happier with who you are. You have the right to say no, you have the right to fight for who you are and most importantly you have the right to walk away with your head held high.

I think that Equality 7-2521 shows us that we are happier with who we are and the choices that we make on our own, rather than living by the choices others make for us. The choices that others make for us, bring us down, they limit us, they show others that we value what they say rather than valuing our own selves.

In conclusion, I think that every teenager should read the book Anthem by Ayn Rand. It shows them a different perspective on why you should make your own decisions, and that what you do, can make a world of difference in who you are and where your life goes. This is your life, these are your decisions, and they are something that you have to live with the rest of your life!


The author's comments:
I think that so many people young or old are pressured by their peers. It is hard to say no, but what I am trying to establish in my article is...YOU DO HAVE CHOICES!! You have the right to say NO, but most of all you are who you are and you should NEVER let anyone pressure you to be something you are NOT!!

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This article has 7 comments.


tattwanasi said...
on Nov. 2 2012 at 6:55 pm
I think that this was a great article.  It applies to any generation since we all face these same pressures in our everyday life.  Good link to the book as well.  Well done.

Edna said...
on Nov. 2 2012 at 9:23 am
It is so great to hear from a teen that "gets it".  You are well ahead of your years.  You will face many obsticles during your teen and young adult years, I hope everyone remembers this article.

on Nov. 2 2012 at 9:15 am
Congratulations! What an excellent writing and topic . I really love your hook, especially the 2nd paragraph. You supported your main thesis very well. I'm very much impressed with your major details and how you form your true feelings and opinions about the topic. You are right, Life is a series of Choices. Everybody is free to choose and make decisions in life. Whatever choices you make determines the life that you want to go. We should all evaluated and make the highest choices and decisions in life. Excellent wrting!!!  

jonesy said...
on Nov. 2 2012 at 9:06 am
This is a great! I loved it! I am going to pick up a copy of this book. Keep up the good work your mother should be very proud of you. Please continue to encourage your peers to be proud of who they are and rise above all the negative influences out there.  ;-)

GreatNews said...
on Nov. 2 2012 at 8:35 am
Great article.  I think that every teen should read the book Athem.  I think it will make them think about the pressure that is all around them.

eleven said...
on Nov. 2 2012 at 8:08 am
What profound statements from Anonymous.  It is clear that you recognize the world around you and you are prepared to make the right choices.  This piece is very influential and I am hoping you are able to influence others with the all that the text shared with you.

on Oct. 29 2012 at 12:10 am
ChickenLegHouse BRONZE, Brighton, Michigan
3 articles 0 photos 44 comments
This started out as an opionion paper but then turned it to a book review of sorts. A little derailing, I can't really figure out why you did that, it was going real good till you brought the book up. I do agree with you though.