From peer pressure to underachieve - Even in schools

There always has been the existence of peer pressure in the educational environment, even in schools or universities. This can play a huge role in making decisions for youths and children, extending beyond what they contribute to their teams or the community they joined.

Example

Take an example of this common phenomenon, in classes, students usually raise their hands for study program contribution and other classmates can perceive them, whereas there are some students think that it is a kind of pressure that makes them refrain from taking part, because they shy away from engaging if they feel unprepared. That can affect their decision-making ability and make them underperform and hard to take opportunities in the community.

Reasons

So why, do youths completely shy away from their peers? Perhaps it depends on youths or children’ opinion about their surrounding environment, and what they target for. Recent studies have shown that children and youth can be easily stressed and pressured because they cannot perform well in public. Moreover, they also have an anxious status when they have a chance to contribute to works and do not want to reveal their grasp of the material if they do not view themselves as smart. And another reason is other peers in a group usually flex about themselves too much. This can cause an invisible pressure on the shy guys and make them feel that they are not included in the group.

Solution

Overall, the researches suggest schools or educational organizations should create a friendly study environment without highlighting the achievements. And motivate the students to improve themselves via extra workshops or team buildings.

- Vinh Phuc -

Reference source:

1. Awan, M. F. (2023, February 18). How to avoid "Peer Pressure". LinkedIn. Retrieved October 30, 2023, from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-avoid-peer-pressure-muhammad-awan.

 2. Bursztyn, L., Egorov, G., & Jensen, R. (2019, March 9). How Peer Pressure Can Lead Teens to Underachieve—Even in Schools Where It’s “Cool to Be Smart”. How Peer Pressure Can Lead Teens to Underachieve—Even in Schools Where It’s “Cool to Be Smart”. Retrieved October 30, 2023, from https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/peer-pressure-can-lead-teens-underachieve-schools-cool-to-be-smart?fbclid=IwAR3IgD7f07YAFgDxbfB17I_Yp7Gsn0rUw1dezM36USOfO-ap7BgXTwz3us8.