There is a big influence of peer groups
on children’s behaviour. Do advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? What
can be done about it?
Like all grownups are swayed by the attitudes of those
around them, young ones too show signs
of this phenomenon. However, unlike adults, youngsters are impacted both ways,
negatively and positively. It becomes, hence, necessary to guide children out
of the negative influences by acting judiciously.
Impact of classmates and friends can overwhelm young minds
quite easily, but this can sometimes have a positive effects as well,
especially when it comes to academic performance. If children are surrounded by
some individuals who excel academically, they, aided and supported by their
peers, will follow the precedents. Besides this, a group that has some
intelligent young individuals tends to foster similar qualities among all its
members.
Having said that, many term impact of friends generally
negative. Their opinion stems revelations of various studies. A distortion in
personality and behavior is common symptom of peer effect. Children can turn
into be demanding and arrogant individuals
if the company they keep has some rich, spoiled and flamboyant friends. In
extreme cases problems can exacerbate, and children can pick up bad habits too.
This influenced can be checked and curtailed to a greater
extent by timey interference monitoring by the parents. It is suggested by the
established child behavior psychologists that if mothers and fathers keep a
close vigil on the activities on the activities of their wards, and discuss
about matters openly and caution their youngsters, they will be able to help
young ones evade adverse impact of peer influence.
In the hindsight, the benefits of peer pressure are although
clearly outweighed by the drawbacks, some exceptions do exist. Hence parents
should act prudently and guide their wards judiciously. Appropriate guidance
and counseling can help young tender
minds listen to their parents and only absorb good qualities of their friends