We are not in this world to live up to someone else’s expectations and they’re not in this world either to live up to ours. In a world where we can be anything, we must be ourselves.

As we grow older, we will be faced with some challenging decisions. Making decisions on our own is hard enough, but when people get involved and try to pressure us one way or another, it makes the situation even harder. When people try to influence how we act, and get us to do something, it’s called peer pressure. It’s something that everyone has to deal with.

Learners nowadays easily give in to peer pressure because they want to be included in a group; they want to be liked. They worry too much and think that the others would make fun of them if they don’t go along. Others include themselves because they are curious to try the things that others are doing. The idea that “everyone’s doing it” has a major influence on some people to leave their better judgement behind.

While peer pressure can be helpful at times, it can also cause us to do things we may not be sure about, or things that are not right for us. Dealing with it is definitely challenging, but we are encouraged to reflect on our personal values and preferences. As the saying goes, “It’s better to walk alone than with a crowd going in the wrong direction.”

By: Ms. Mhileth C. Filoteo | Teacher II | Bataan National High School | Balanga, Bataan