"Sex And The Suburbs!"

Everyone knows what peer pressure is, but it seems most people have difficulty admitting that they can be pressured into doing something they otherwise wouldn't do. People can be pressured into doing drugs, smoking a cigarette, or even having sex. Something in our mind tells us it's a bad idea. Our conscience, the little voice in our head that tells us right from wrong, tells us, "Don't do it. Don't do it. It's a bad idea. Don't do it." Sometimes we choose to follow our consciences advice and say no and walk away. Sometimes, we choose to ignore our conscience and fall to peer pressure. The choice is yours, so... What is your choice? Right or Wrong?

Picture this. You meet a guy. He seems perfect. You start to like him and he seems to like you too because he asks you out. You believe you're taking things slow, but too slow for him. After only your second week together, even though he knows you want to take things slow, he decided to ignore your wish. As soon as you're alone,  he lays you down on the couch, and he sticks his hand up your shirt. You tell him no. That he was your first boyfriend and you wanted to take things slow. He tries to convince you. He says, "It's what normal couples do. Stop being a prude. Just go with it." He finally convinces you. That's what peer  pressure is. When you don't want to do something, but a friend convinces you to anyway, usually by saying everyone else did it. Listen to me. If you don't want to, then don't. It doesn't matter who decides to do it, it matters what you want to do.

Imagine the same guy decides, your chest isn't enough. He wants more. He leaves subtle hints. "I always keep a condom in my guitar case. Just in case you ever want to..." he says, or, "That condom in my guitar case is taking up room. I would throw it out, but my mom taught me to never waste anything. Any suggestions on how I get rid of it?" Just a bit of advice. Stop him right there. Tell him no. Tell him no and walk away. If you don't think your ready, tell him. If he doesn't understand, dump him. It's simple.

My opinion on peer pressure is clear... I don't like it. I don't think someone should be pressured into doing something they wouldn't do otherwise. I don't understand why they would ruin themselves just because they're friends wanted them to do it. If you get in trouble, don't say you were pressured to. It's your fault for doing it. You always have a choice. No matter what you think, you always have a choice.

Peer Pressure... It can make a person do crazy things. But are there positive things about peer pressure? Maybe, if you want to look at it that way. But do you want to be pressured into something you wouldn't dare do otherwise? Will you ignore your conscience? And if you do, are you willing to live with the consequences?