Running head: FIT IN OR STAND OUT?

Fit In or Stand Out?

Monica A. Arroyo
The University of Texas at El Paso

Abstract

FIT IN OR STAND OUT?

Peer pressure is an inevitable topic in todays society that some people consider to be a problem
and others an advantage. This paper will mainly focus on the definition of peer pressure, how it
affects the individuals, what it means to belong in society, and how identity is portrayed in
society. It will include a deeper insight on how the effects and reactions of the individuals
contribute to what society expects and how the individual reacts. By explaining the reasons and
factors, people will be able to understand why people feel a certain way or act in a different
manner. Also, by providing outcomes, whether positive or negative, it can expand the
understanding on what peer pressure provides for the individual.

FIT IN OR STAND OUT?

As people develop themselves and live in this world, they encounter different stages. One
common stage that the majority of people experience is the feeling and desire of acceptance
around others in order to maintain confidence. An example of this would be peer pressure. Even
though there are definitions that imply that all peer pressure is bad and that it affects only
adolescents in middle school and high school, there also exists the definition that peer pressure is
encouraged. Although there are many cases of teenagers being affected by the negative peer
pressure in school, there still exists the cases of any person of any age and around any
environment that deals with acceptance. This essay will focus on this problem and explain the
different effects of society and the identity that is portrayed by an individual amongst everyone.
A Definition on Peer Pressure
Peer pressure is defined as when an individual experiences implied or expressed
persuasion to adopt similar values, beliefs, and goals, or to participate in the same activities as
those in the peer group. (Internet FAQ Archives, 2015). Some people believe that peer pressure
only causes negative effects in the individuals life, while some people actually encourage the
involvement of these peer pressure groups. The involvement of peer pressure groups can cause
positive effects because if the individual chooses to be around hard working people, this
individual will want to become more like the people that they are around with and strive for a
higher social focus. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln also mentions how peer groups can lead
to healthy development as it creates a positive impact on the individual with similar interests (De
Guzman, 2007).

Risky behavior, expected gender roles, and conforming to expectations,

regardless of self-esteem, are only some of the effects that exists from peer pressure groups
(Internet FAQ Archives, 2007). It is said that it easier to conform rather than to argue.

FIT IN OR STAND OUT?

The Effects of Peer Pressure

The effects of peer pressure vary greatly amongst people. To some, feeling accepted is a
major key point in their early life stages; as for others, they decide to create their own identity
and feel self-assured without the need to fit in with the crowd. It is not uncommon that when a
child or adolescent is growing up around other people that they want to be like them or have the
same things they do. Peer pressure can affect anyone at any age; according to a study performed
on 7th - 9th grade Swedish students, classmates affected the well-being of the individual which
included health issues as well as behavior influences (Almquist, Modin, & Augustine, 2013). Not
only was the individuals behavior affected but it also had linked an impact on the individuals
health. This desire to feeling accepted by their peers led to complaints on their health and
changes in performance of their classes. While some of these students struggle with fitting in,
another study mentions the importance of variety. Just as Phillips had stated, gender, racial, and
social diversity increases financial performance, different ideas and perspectives, and can also
lead to broader thinking and ideas (2014). Different minds and different insights from different
people encourages the creative thinking that everyone is able to input. In this example, people
want others to be different from the rest so they can contribute their individual thoughts and
reasoning.
How Identity is Portrayed in Society
A persons identity is portrayed in society by the actions they display and the manner that
they appear to others. As some worry about the criticism they receive from others, some decide
to make their own decisions about themselves. In accordance with North Carolina State
University students, one must first accept their own self before accepting or conforming to
criticism from others (1993). Individuals know that they will be evaluated yet they have to accept

FIT IN OR STAND OUT?

their identity and let others accept them for who they are. Only when one is loved, cared for,
and accepted for what he or she is does one begin to feel worthy of respect and love (NC State
University, 1993). This specific quote somewhat urges the need to feel accepted and how
approval from others can lead to a state of satisfaction. On the other hand, the Wall Street Journal
discusses the factors that leads teens into making their decisions by using parents, peers,
ethnicity, and friends as the factors of how an individual reacts to certain situations (2013). It
mentions that feeling accepted is not only because of low self-esteem, but because they feel that
they have to be evaluated in order to fit in with the crowd. Even though these are some factors, it
also discusses that teens are able to make their own decisions (regardless of these factors) taking
into account their emotional state. According to them, teens can create their own identity. Figure
1 shows the two known theater masks which is a representation of an individual; it shows how a
mask is normally used to cover up the truth and emotions by putting one on in order to please
everyone else and be what they desire to see. The mask can either be kept on to conform or taken
off to be different. Just like a persons identity, the mask can either hide it or the person can
simply choose to keep their identity and not wear the mask.

Figure 1 depicting the 2 theater masks.

Belonging in Society
Some people believe that belonging in society is altered by the factors of peer pressure
which includes only the people that the individual converses or is around with; some people

FIT IN OR STAND OUT?

argue that the individual is able to make his own decisions and develop his own self in order to
belong. Both physical and personality attributes of the individual are affected depending on the
setting, the people, and sometimes the family (Lerner, 1982). These factors are said to influence
highly the individual but at the same time another individual is able to make his own decisions.
While some individuals are able to develop their own self, some people struggle with
maintaining their identity as they are around dominant groups (Clover, Jayme, 2012). Because
some people in the minority feel as if the different situations are overwhelming, the language and
education setting that they are part of may seem as if they do not belong. Thus, this leads to
affecting their identity on who they are and how they are expected to act.
Peer pressure will continue being the unavoidable situation that occurs in todays society.
Due to all the factors, emotions, and questions that it brings upon people, some individuals might
struggle to be different while some find it easier to conform. A persons identity is what defines
an individual but that may or may not be lost in the process of peer pressure. This process of peer
pressure can affect anyone at any age, any environment, and any gender; but in the end it all
depends on how the individual will react to society and its expectations.

FIT IN OR STAND OUT?

References
Almquist, Y. B., Modin, B., & Augustine, L. (2013). Peer acceptance in the school class and

subjective health complaints: A multilevel approach. Journal Of School Health, 83(10),

690-696. doi:10.1111/josh.12082.
Clover, D., Jayme, B., & Hall, B. (2012). World council of comparative education societies,
volume 5:Education, dominance and identity. Retrieved from
http://0-site.ebrary.com.lib.utep.edu/lib/UTEP/reader.action?docID=10687691&ppg=5.
De Guzman, M. R. T. (2007). Friendships, peer influence, and peer pressure during the teen
years. Neb Guide. Retrieved from
http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/pages/publicationD.jsp?publicationId=837.
Internet FAQ archives. (2015). Peer pressure. Advameg. Retrieved from
http://www.faqs.org/health/topics/76/Peer-pressure.html.
Lerner, R. M. (1982). Children and adolescents as producers of their own
development. Developmental Review, 2(4), 342-370. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/02732297(82)90018-1.
Matthews, D. W. (1993). Acceptance of self and others, 7-8. Retrieved from
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fcs/pdfs/fcs2762.pdf.
Phillips, K. (2014). How diversity makes us smarter. Scientific American. Retrieved from
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-diversity-makes-us-smarter/.
Wang, S. S. (2013, June 17). Peer pressure for teens paves the path to adulthood. The Wall
Street Journal. Retrieved from

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http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324520904578551462766909232.

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