Peer pressure is common across schools around the world. The act of peer pressure comes from trying to “fit in” with your peers. It can also come directly from others that force you to do something. These different forms of peer pressure can either come from yourself or others.

There are many interpretations of peer pressure, so I interviewed some students here at Hauppauge High School.

• The first student I interviewed was Parker Smith, she believes that peer pressure comes from the people around you. The pressure can come from people’s actions, not just words. She believes that teenagers are largely affected. She states, “The pressure to conform can lead them to dangerous actions.” Overall, Parker believes that peer pressure is dangerous for teenagers today.
•  I then interviewed student Megan, she believes that peer pressure can come from inside your mind. Megan believes that your mindset on a subject is what determines the outcome. She is big on mental health and healthy lifestyles. Megan believes peer pressure is dangerous and can destroy your mental health. Overall, she believes that you must put yourself first.
• After speaking with student Natalie, she defines peer pressure as a friend pushing you into a circle of strangers. She uses this visualization to help identify peer pressure. This visualization is a great way to combat peers who may be “pushing you in.” 
• Another student I spoke with was Julianna, peer pressure to her is just plain bullying. Peer pressure is forcing another person to do something they don’t want. She believes that a simple definition is enough to classify it as bullying that must be handled delicately. “Peer pressure can shatter someone’s soul.” She states that is exactly why we must take peer pressure into account.
• Lastly, I spoke with student Sofia, She believes that peer pressure runs rampant throughout the school! She defines peer pressure as its simple definition, forcing someone to do something they don’t want to. She wants to become a psychologist when she is older and she truly wants to help kids who succumb to peer pressure. 

     Overall, my opinion on peer pressure is that it is one of the biggest problems in high schools across the country. I suggest that we should set up more support groups and a safe space for students to go if they ever feel pressured into doing something. I also believe that students should be punished for peer pressuring their friends, we just simply don’t take it seriously enough already.