Peer-Pressure

[HotPocket]

So, I recently found out that my school, which normally gives a yearly blood drive where the red cross comes to our school and takes blood of anyone over 18 or 16 with parent's permission, is now not doing this anymore.

The cause?

My fellow schoolmates were pressuring their friends that didn't necessarily want to donate blood into making them feel uncomfortable to a point where someone said something to a teacher.

So, I think that we should realize that peer-pressure isn't all bad, your friends will automatically influence you without anyone really noticing. You get to choose your friends, if you choose good friends they will have a good influence, the same goes for bad friends. If your friends push you to something that is good for somebody else and doesn't really hurt you, why strive against it?

What are your thoughts on this?

 

[Jedoro]

Only the weak-willed are bothered by peer pressure. I just see it as another challenge to overcome.

 

[El Poncho]

It is my right to strive against it, maybe I was uncomfortable with giving blood? Maybe I want to do it later in life and not while I'm at school. Peer-Pressure? You know what I say to people who try to pressure me? Fuck off. It is my right to choose my own decisions, if I don't want to do it, then shut up and you do it.

I'm not saying I wouldn't give blood, but I think if I was asked to give blood when I was 16 I would say no because I would rather wait till I am older. Unless my blood type was rare then I will feel no urgency to give blood.

 

[HotPocket]

It is my right to strive against it, maybe I was uncomfortable with giving blood? Maybe I want to do it later in life and not while I'm at school. Peer-Pressure? You know what I say to people who try to pressure me? Fuck off. It is my right to choose my own decisions, if I don't want to do it, then shut up and you do it.

I'm not saying I wouldn't give blood, but I think if I was asked to give blood when I was 16 I would say no because I would rather wait till I am older. Unless my blood type was rare then I will feel no urgency to give blood.

I'm saying if peers are pressuring you to do something good, is it still bad?

If you feint at the sight of your blood, I can see not giving it.

But honestly? If your fear of needles or blood is stopping you from saving someone's life, I think you could have a few problems.

 

[Hippobatman]

The debate might be interesting, though I myself idealize the rational thinking of the individual, and the individual freely chooses with whom he or she wishes to associate themselves with. And by that selection which formes cliques and groups of similar minded persons they will each influence eachother at an equal basis, though the core ideals of the group stays true and will not change, at least not radically.

Peer pressure affects weak minds, IE individuals with low self esteem, who are generally trying to fit into a group they desire to be a part of because of various reasons, most probably social status. The thing is that they might not belong in said group, but they try so desperately and therefore act like they do fit, and are then pressured into doing things they normally wouldn't do, which leads to my conclusion that peer pressure generally is a bad thing.

I apologize if this comes off as negative and/or cynical, but that's just the way I see things.

 

[JupiterBase]

For me its more girl-pressure. I am a fool for pretty eyes and cute voice.

If its realy something i dont wanna do can be a real asshole. most likely me anger will become obvious and whoever is hassling me will stop.

 

[Twad]

Only the weak-willed are bothered by peer pressure. I just see it as another challenge to overcome.

Ooohh i cant resist..
-The weak-willed being eveyone then? seeing as how everyone is affected by other people in a way or another.

Meh, just joking.

I think the problem is more apparent with the teens and kids, but even adult can be affected by it (the workplace for example) in a bad way.. it takes maturity and a lot of courrage to stand up when it really matters when everyone else is against you.. the fear of public ridicule is strong, its just so easy to stay silent and go with the flow.

 

[BlindMessiah94]

So, I recently found out that my school, which normally gives a yearly blood drive where the red cross comes to our school and takes blood of anyone over 18 or 16 with parent's permission, is now not doing this anymore.

The cause?

My fellow schoolmates were pressuring their friends that didn't necessarily want to donate blood into making them feel uncomfortable to a point where someone said something to a teacher.

So, I think that we should realize that peer-pressure isn't all bad, your friends will automatically influence you without anyone really noticing. You get to choose your friends, if you choose good friends they will have a good influence, the same goes for bad friends. If your friends push you to something that is good for somebody else and doesn't really hurt you, why strive against it?

What are your thoughts on this?

Doesn't really hurt you!? They take your blood! With a sharp pointy object!



Actually I think the whole situation is ridiculous. He could've just told his friends to frak off.

 

[x0ny]

People who care what people think are subjected to peer pressure. If you don't care what can they do?

Yeah also the weak willed. Willpower and Logic is everything.

When I was born, my mummy and daddy put points into willpower. Then they realised they fucked up and so re-rolled a female char and put points into intelligence instead.

 

[Karlaxx]

I wouldn't give blood anyway- they'd have to sedate me to stick a needle in me for that long T_T. I think peer pressure is something I don't give in to too easily, on the small scale(I'm not around people enough for that to be a significant problem)- although my choice of company has certainly influenced me.

 

[Idlemessiah]

I only have 2-3 friends, I consider the rest of the people I know as aquaintances, so I very rarely have to deal with peer pressure. It's great.

My little sister has more friends than I care to count, and what they all do influences her life. She's at the stage of chosing which college to go to and she's basing it on who she wants to hang out with for the next 2 years. Kinda sad when you think that in 5-10 years she'll likely never even be speaking to any of them any more.

On the blood side of things, give into the peer pressure on this one. Its a good cause plus if you live in the UK the blood people send you a letter whenever you blood gets used and it tells you what you have done, i.e. contributed to a life saving liver transplant. Which makes you feel like you're worth something.

 

[FalloutJack]

I do believe that a donation of my blood will corrupt the innocent and send us spiraling down a path to total chaos.

Oh, peer-pressure. Uhhh, no. I've got the chutzpah to tell people to screw off.

 

[Cherry Cola]

Bad or not, it's still Peer Pressure. Therefore, it's still someone controlling what you do. Now, even if they are making you do something good, remember, that if you aren't OK with it, then no matter how good it is, it simply isn't right.

 

[silver wolf009]

Only the weak-willed are bothered by peer pressure. I just see it as another challenge to overcome.

exactly. Never been suckered into anything i didnt want to do.

 

[Kiefer13]

I can't say that peer pressure has ever had that much of an effect on me, mostly because I've never really felt any need to change my views or actions just for the sake of "fitting in". I figure anyone that can't respect your decisions and would refuse to be your friend because of them isn't worth being called a friend anyway.

My friends are a good bunch anyway, and have never tried to seriously convince me to do anything I've made clear I have no intention of doing (e.g. smoking). My circle of friends tends to have a "I'll not question your choices if you don't question mine" policy when it comes to things like this.

Best way to do things, really.

 

[rokkolpo]

i only make good friends....i think, and when one of us doesn't want to do something the rest just goes okay.

 

[Tharwen]

What's wrong with giving blood and why would you need to be pressured into it?