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Peer pressure has a significant influence on teenagers, especially girls. Several studies found that girls feel more pressure about their body image and school performance compared to boys. Additionally, the decision to drink alcohol appears to be more swayed by peers for girls than boys. The influence of friends is a major factor in whether teenagers start drinking or smoking, regardless of overt pressure. Girls tend to be more concerned about fitting into their social networks and worry more about losing friendships, so they feel pressure to behave similarly to their friends. While boys are encouraged to be independent, girls are socialized to value cooperation and social dynamics more.

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DEBATE

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DEBATE

GIRLS FACE MORE PEER PRESSURE THAN BOYS:

Peer pressure is when you are pressured into doing something by your friends that you
would probably not have done otherwise.

Many studies show this. 32% girls felt pressure about their body image vs 19% of boys
feeling pressured. Also, 24% of girls vs 17% of boys felt peer pressure to do better in tests
and school says BBC News reports.

Teenage girls sleep and exercise less than boys, and are three times as likely to report
struggling with their mental health, a study suggests.
Those are among findings drawn from the experiences of almost 40,000 teenagers across
Greater Manchester.
Young people worked with academics to devise a questionnaire for the BeeWell research
project.
It is thought to be the largest attempt to analyse young people's wellbeing in one region,
and runs for three years.
The tremendous pressures of peers who drink and teenage parties appear to have more
influence on teen girls than boys as they wrestle with the decision of whether to drink, a
federal study found. The study, released Tuesday, was conducted by a research branch
of the National Institutes of Health in article of DesertNwes. The notion that girls may
be swayed by friends more easily than boys is supported by many experts who have
studied the subject.

The new study also showed that for boys and girls, the top indicator of whether youngsters
begin drinking or smoking is whether they have friends who do, Simons-Morton said. The
conclusion remains true regardless of whether the friends are overtly pressuring the
teenager, the study reports.

The finding suggests that traditional images of peer pressure — a dare given at a party, or a
joke made at the expense of a nondrinker — may not always be the prime catalyst for a
young person's decision. Instead, Simons-Morton said, many teens seem to mimic the
behavior of friends.

In in article of National Library of medicine published 2018. By Cassie

McMillan, Diane Felmlee, and D. Wayne Osgood
Similarly, past research finds that girls tend to be more concerned about fitting into their
social networks (Frank et al., 2008; Kretschmer et al., 2018). Girls also worry more about
abandonment and losing friendships with their peers (Maccoby, 1998; Rose and Rudolph,
2006). As a result of these patterns, female adolescents may feel more pressure to adjust
their behaviors so that they are more similar to those of their friends (Kretschmer et al.,
2018).
Children learn gendered behavior by both intentionally and unconsciously modeling the
actions of those around them as well as from reward systems that positively reinforce
adherence to gender roles (Bandura, 1977; Chodorow, 1978). While boys are taught to
value objectivity and independence, girls are encouraged to be better attuned to social
dynamics and cooperation with their friends (Chodorow, 1978). These gendered attitudes
are further reinforced through children’s interactions with peers as young girls and boys
tend to gravitate towards same-gender friendships (Maccoby, 1998).

NEGATIVE
Peer pressure is a form of social pressure where a person’s psyche, behaviour, values,
attitude and actions are influenced by his/her peers to conform to that of a group he/she
belongs to. One of the most common examples you can relate to is listening to a particular
type of music, simply because the group of friends/peers listen to that music. This
phenomenon has been found to take place in a broader context, particular society, religion,
language, and political belief, among others
It was recently found that male adolescents were more susceptible to risky behaviors,
including drug use and aggressive behaviors.7 Males at this age are typically trying to
ensure they maintain their gender role stereotypes and often relate these behaviors to
masculinity. Males at this age who defy gender norms tend to face more social
consequences and are conditioned to then behave and act in a way that is in accordance
with the majority.

At this age group, boys are experiencing a great amount of hormonal changes and
developing, however not all are developing at the same rate. Once these boys are together,
the various stages of their development play a role in driving their choices and interactions.
Boys who may be in a different developmental stage become more susceptible to direct,
spoken peer pressure, such as taking a drink in a social situation, accepting a cigarette, or
engaging in pranks, vandalism, or bullying.

Stereotypes based on gender start with the belief that only a particular gender has the
qualities to do a particular kind of job. So, boys are expected to find technical jobs with
good pay. They are also subjected to bullying and teasing if they do not prescribe to the
stereotypes.

In article Myindia published by Dhiman Bhattacharyya 2020

The pressure of becoming the real man or a perfect family person, juggling a fruitful
career/an unrealistic body shape, makes many men feel trapped. This covert peer pressure
has led to increased incidence of eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and stress among
men.

Some of the common expectations society has from men include acting tough even in
cases of vulnerability (such as not crying even when one wants to), hiding weaknesses,
looking good, and many more. The study report points out that the peer pressure on men
(for acting or behaving in a particular manner) adversely affects their health, well being,
and relationships with other men/women/children.

Masculine stereotype culture expects a man to be on testosterone overdose. The fad of

having beefy muscles and 6-pack abs are only a few glaring examples of the masculinity
culture. Some other examples include beer-swilling, ‘lad culture’, football-mad culture, gym
culture, and many more. Also, men are portrayed as inherent risk-takers, who are
seemingly not afraid of the consequences.

A study has found out that 40% of men feel ashamed to talk about depression and other
mental health conditions, until they come with the thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Men’s
mental health and physical health are paramount, Men’s Health Awareness Week (June 10-
16 – the week preceding and including Father’s Day) is being observed since 2002 across
the world.