a speech about peer pressure

Speech On Peer Pressure [1,2,3 Minutes]

In today’s competitive environment, everyone feels peer pressure. Some people consider it to be helpful while others believe peer pressure is not always beneficial. Hence, It has become an important issue to discuss and find out the advantages and disadvantages of peer pressure.

In this article, there are many examples of speech on peer pressure of 1, 2 and 3 minutes in duration. It will also help you understand a short and simple definition, the types, and the purpose of peer pressure. This will help you write a good speech.

1 Minute Speech On Peer Pressure

Hello and welcome all of you gathered here. I am here to share my thoughts on peer pressure.

If you are a student, your classmates are your peers. If you are an employee, your colleagues are. The actions of your peers impact you in a positive way or a negative way. These actions drive you to do the same irrespective of what your goals are.

Peer pressure drives you to think of a competitor to your group. This way, people suffer from anxiety and depression. This is why peer pressure is considered a negative term. It completely depends on the person who handles it. Only he or she can get the advantages of peer pressure.

Dealing with peer pressure is an art. If one knows how to use it to help in growth, it can be proved helpful. Hence, it becomes important to explain to children the ways to handle peer pressure in earlier stages of life so that they lead a stress-free life. Thank you!

2-Minute Speech On Peer Pressure

Before I deliver my speech I would like to wish you all the best wishes & I also want to thank you a lot for having me a chance to share my views on this important topic i.e. peer pressure.

What is peer pressure? Some of us understand it well. Anyway, I want to explain it in my own words. Please let me know if I say anything wrong.

Here is an important word “peer” to be understood clearly. The word “ Peer ” comes from the Latin which means equal . A peer is someone at your own level. For example; if you are a 12th grader, your classmates are your peers.

“As we know that we are social creatures. We want to grow on the same level as others in the society. This aspiration of growth drives us to be competitive with others . Also, this leaves a pressure on our psychological health. This pressure is simply called peer pressure.”

Now, a question arises in the mind; Is peer pressure beneficial? Different people have different thoughts on this. Some people consider it to be helpful while others believe peer pressure is not always beneficial. Hence, It has become an important issue to discuss and find out the advantages and disadvantages of peer pressure.

If we think unbiased, peer pressure is neither beneficial nor harmful. It has some positive and some negative impacts. On the one hand, Peer pressure helps students to motivate to do extraordinary. On the other hand, it can cause them to suffer from fear of failure.

Hence, it has both impacts of one side. Peer pressure is not limited to students, people feel peer pressure in each sphere of life. Most importantly, many people suffer from severe depression and anxiety. It completely depends on the person and how he handles peer pressure.

To sum it up , it becomes important to explain to children the ways to handle peer pressure in earlier stages of life so that they lead a stress-free life.

This is all thought about peer pressure. I hope it was helpful, Thank you!

Speech On Peer Pressure | 3 Minutes

I warmly welcome all of you gathered here. I am here to deliver a speech on peer pressure. Before I start my speech, I would like to wish you a good day. Also, I want to thank you for having me this valuable opportunity.

Peer pressure is an important issue in contemporary times. I think some of us are well aware of what is peer pressure but I want to explain it so that everyone here can understand the topic well.

Peer pressure is pressure left by our peers. Now, we need to understand who are our peers. The word “ Peer ” comes from the Latin which means equal . A peer is someone at your own level. For example; If you are an employee, your colleagues are your peers.

Peer pressure is classified into many types but it has two main types; positive and negative peer pressure. For example; When your peers achieve a milestone, you compare yourself to them and start working for the same. This is called positive peer pressure .

Opposite to this, when your smoker friends push you to smoke as they believe it to be cool. This is called negative peer pressure . Sometimes you want to say no but peer pressure drives you to make poor choices by not saying “no”. This tendency lowers your self-esteem.

Hence, peer pressure has both negative and positive impacts. It completely depends on the person and how he or she handles peer pressure. Most importantly, many people suffer from severe depression and anxiety and peer pressure can be of any kind.

To avoid the negative impacts of peer pressure, one needs to make decisions wisely. In this process, one can practice some of the common practices. Some of them are;

1. Learn to Say “No”

Saying no is an important ritual for avoiding doing things you don’t want to do. Explain clear reasons behind your refusal. If your peers don’t understand, you should leave their company.

2. Make Friends with similar values

People develop their personalities according to the values received. If you make friends who have similar values, they will understand you well and not force you to do something.

3. Get Away from the pressure Zone

One of the best methods to prevent peer pressure is to walk away from where you feel negative peer pressure. You can spend time alone to figure out your goals and ways.

To sum it up, our brain is our greatest tool that can help us find solutions for every kind of problem. Just find out your ways to eliminate negative peer pressure from the equation. Thank you!

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Speech on Peer Pressure

Peer pressure is a part of life, especially during your growing up years. It’s when you feel pushed to act or think in a certain way by your friends. It can be both positive and negative, depending upon what you’re being influenced to do. It’s crucial to understand and manage it well to avoid its potential harms.

1-minute Speech on Peer Pressure

Ladies and gentlemen, let’s talk about peer pressure. This is when friends or people our age try to convince us to do something. It can feel like we’re being pushed into doing things that we don’t really want to do. But remember, we always have a choice.

Sometimes, peer pressure can make us do good things. For example, it can push us to study harder, join a sports team, or help others. This is a positive side of peer pressure. It shows us that we can inspire each other to do better and be better.

But there’s another side to peer pressure. It’s the side that makes us feel uncomfortable, or even scared. This is when friends try to convince us to do things that we know are wrong. Like cheating on a test, or treating someone badly. This kind of pressure can make us feel trapped and confused.

So, what can we do about it? We can stand strong. We can say no. We can walk away. It’s not easy, but it’s important. We should never let anyone force us to do something we don’t want to do.

Remember, it’s okay to be different. It’s okay to make our own choices. Our real friends will respect us for it. And if they don’t, then maybe they’re not really our friends after all.

In conclusion, peer pressure can be a force for good or bad. But the power is in our hands. We can choose to stand up, to be brave, and to do what’s right. Let’s be the kind of friends who lift each other up, not pull each other down. Let’s be strong against peer pressure. Thank you.

2-minute Speech on Peer Pressure

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Peer pressure is something all of us have experienced in our lives. It is that force that makes us do things because others are doing them. It’s like a strong wind that can either push us forward or pull us back. Today, let’s talk about it in very simple terms.

Imagine being on a football field. Your friends are cheering you on to score a goal. That’s good peer pressure. It encourages you to do your best, to achieve something worthwhile. This is the positive side of peer pressure that sometimes, we overlook. It can be a force for good, pushing us to new heights and inspiring us to try new things.

But, like a coin, peer pressure has another side too. It is when you feel forced to act or think in a certain way due to the fear of not fitting in. Imagine a friend offering you a cigarette. You know it’s bad for your health, but you take it anyway because you don’t want to feel left out. This is negative peer pressure. It can lead to bad decisions and make us stray from our core values.

Peer pressure can often make us feel like we’re stuck in a tough spot. You might feel like you’re standing at a crossroad, unsure of which way to go. But remember, it’s okay to say no. It’s okay to choose your own path. You don’t have to follow the crowd all the time. Your true friends will respect your decisions, even if they are different from theirs.

It’s important to understand what peer pressure is and how to handle it. Talk to your parents, teachers, or trusted adults. They can give you valuable advice. They’ve probably faced peer pressure in their own lives and can share their experiences with you.

Remember, you are unique, special, and there’s no one else like you in the world. Don’t let others make decisions for you. Peer pressure can be tough to deal with, but like a ship in a storm, you can navigate through it. Be your own captain, steer your ship in the direction you want to go, not where the wind of peer pressure pushes you.

In conclusion, peer pressure is a part of our lives. It can be good or bad. It’s up to us to decide how we let it affect us. We should embrace the positive side of peer pressure and use it to reach our goals. But when it comes to negative peer pressure, we should be brave enough to say no.

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Essay on Peer Pressure: 100, 200, and 450 Word Samples in English

• Updated on  
• Mar 2, 2024

Have you ever done something just because your friends or peers have done it? Say, watched a movie or TV series, visited places, consumed any substance, or academic achievement. This is a classic example of peer pressure. It means you are influenced by your peers or people around you.

Peer pressure can be both positive and negative, but mostly, it has negative effects. Peer pressure often occurs during adolescence or teenage years when individuals are more susceptible to the opinions and actions of their peers. Sometimes, peer pressure can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, we must deal with peer pressure in a civilized and positive way. 

On this page, we will provide you with some samples of how to write an essay on peer pressure. Here are essay on peer pressure in 100, 200 and 450 words.

Table of Contents

• 1 Essay on Peer Pressure in 450 Words
• 2 Essay on Peer Pressure in 200 Words
• 3 Essay on Peer Pressure in 100 Words

Master the art of essay writing with our blog on How to Write an Essay in English .

Essay on Peer Pressure in 450 Words

‘Be true to who you are and proud of who you’re becoming. I have never met a critic who was doing better than me.’ – Jeff Moore

Why do we seek recognition? Why do we want to fit in? Why are we not accepting ourselves in just the way we are? The answer to these questions is almost the same; peer pressure. Peer pressure is the influence of our peers in such a way, that we wish and try to do things in the same way as others did. 

Negatives and Positive Peer Pressure

Peer pressure can have positive and negative effects. Positive peer pressure can result in better academic performance, personal growth and development, etc. We can be a source of inspiration to our friends or vice versa, which can result in better academic growth, adopting healthier lifestyles, and engaging in community service. For example, you are part of a group collaborating on a community project that demonstrates the constructive influence of peer interaction. This can encourage a sense of purpose and shared responsibility.

Negative Peer Pressure is the opposite of positive peer pressure. In such cases, we are influenced by the negative bad habits of our peers, which often result in disastrous consequences. Consider the scenario where one of your friends starts smoking simply to conform to the smoking habits of his peers, highlighting the potentially harmful consequences of succumbing to negative influences.

How to Deal With Peer Pressure?

Peer pressure can be dealt with in several ways. The first thing to do is to understand our own values and belief systems. Nobody wants to be controlled by others, and when we know what is important to us, it becomes easier to resist pressure that goes against our beliefs.

A person with self-esteem believes in his or her decisions. It creates a strong sense of self-worth and confidence. When you believe in yourself, you are more likely to make decisions based on your principles rather than succumbing to external influences.

Choosing your friends wisely can be another great way to avoid peer pressure. Positive peer influence can be a powerful tool against negative peer pressure.

Building the habit of saying ‘No’ and confidently facing pressure in uncomfortable situations can be a great way to resist peer pressure. So, it is important to assertively express your thoughts and feelings. 

Peer pressure can have different effects on our well-being. It can contribute to personal growth and development, and it can also negatively affect our mental and physical health. We can deal with peer pressure with the necessary skills, open communication, and a supportive environment. We must act and do things in responsible ways.

Also Read: Essay on Green Revolution in 100, 200 and 500 Words

Essay on Peer Pressure in 200 Words

‘A friend recently started smoking just because every guy in his class smokes, and when they hang out, he feels the pressure to conform and be accepted within the group. However, he is not aware of the potential health risks and personal consequences associated with the habit. 

This is one of the many negative examples of peer pressure. However, peer pressure can often take positive turns, resulting in better academic performance, and participation in social activities, and physical activities. 

Dealing with peer pressure requires a delicate balance and determination. Teenagers must have alternative positive options to resist negative influences. Developing a strong sense of self, understanding personal values, and building confidence are crucial components in navigating the challenges posed by peer pressure.

Learning to say ‘No’ assertively can be a great way to tackle peer pressure. You must understand your boundaries and be confident in your decisions. This way, you can resist pressure that contradicts your values. Also, having a plan in advance for potential pressure situations and seeking support from trusted friends or mentors can contribute to making informed and responsible choices.

‘It is our choice how we want to deal with peer pressure. We can make good and bad decisions, but in the end, we have to accept the fact that we were influenced by our peers and we were trying to fit in.’

Essay on Peer Pressure in 100 Words

‘Peer pressure refers to the influence of your peers. Peer pressure either be of positive or negative types. Positive peer pressure can encourage healthy habits like academic challenges, physical activities, or engaging in positive social activities. Negative peer pressure, on the other hand, can lead us to engage in risky behaviours, such as substance abuse, reckless driving, or skipping school, to fit in with our peers.’

‘There are many ways in which we can deal with peer pressure. Everyone has their personal beliefs and values. Therefore, they must believe in themselves and should not let other things distract them. When we are confident in ourselves, it becomes easier to stand up for what we believe in and make our own choices. Peer pressure can be dealt with by staying positive about yourself.’

Ans: ‘Peer pressure refers to the influence of your peers. Peer pressure either be of positive or negative types. Positive peer pressure can encourage healthy habits like academic challenges,, physical activities, or engaging in positive social activities. Negative peer pressure, on the other hand, can lead us to engage in risky behaviours, such as substance abuse, reckless driving, or skipping school, to fit in with our peers.’

Ans: Peer pressure refers to the influence of our peers or people around us. 

Ans: Peer pressure can have both positive and negative effects on school children. It can boost academic performance, encourage participation in social activities, adopt healthier lifestyles, etc. However, peer pressure often results in risky behaviours, such as substance abuse, unsafe activities, or other harmful behaviours.

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Shiva Tyagi

With an experience of over a year, I've developed a passion for writing blogs on wide range of topics. I am mostly inspired from topics related to social and environmental fields, where you come up with a positive outcome.

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What to Know About Peer Pressure

It's not as simple as just saying no

• Positive Peer Pressure

Peer Pressure vs. Parental Influence

Peer pressure beyond childhood.

Have you ever been pressured to have "one more drink," or stay out later than you said you'd be home? If so, you've been a victim of peer pressure—chances are, most of us have. Peer pressure is the process by which members of the same social group influence other members to do things that they may be resistant to, or might not otherwise choose to do.

Peers are people who are part of the same social group, so the term "peer pressure" refers to the influence that peers can have on each other. Usually, the term peer pressure is used when people are talking about behaviors that are not considered socially acceptable or desirable, such as experimentation with alcohol or drugs. According to child and adolescent psychiatrist Akeem Marsh, MD , "it’s very easy to be influenced by peer pressure as we humans are wired as social creatures."

sturti / Getty Images

Though peer pressure is not usually used to describe socially desirable behaviors, such as exercising or studying, peer pressure can have positive effects in some cases.

What Is an Example of Peer Pressure?

Peer pressure causes people to do things they would not otherwise do with the hope of fitting in or being noticed.

For adolescents, peer relationships are the most important of all thus leading to an increased susceptibility to peer pressure.

Things people may be peer pressured into doing include:

• Acting aggressively (common among men)
• Bullying others
• Doing drugs
• Dressing a certain way
• Drinking alcohol
• Engaging in vandalism or other criminal activities
• Physically fighting
• Only socializing with a certain group

Peer pressure or the desire to impress their peers can override a teen or tween's fear of taking risks, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse for Kids. Risky behavior with drugs and/or alcohol may result in the following:

• Alcohol or drug poisoning
• Asphyxiation
• Driving under the influence (of alcohol or other drugs)
• Sexually transmitted diseases

Behavioral Addiction

People can also feel an internal pressure to participate in activities and behaviors they think their peers are doing, which can put them at risk for the following behavioral addictions:

• Food addiction
• Gambling addiction
• Internet addiction
• Sex addiction
• Shopping addiction
• Video game addiction

In the case of teens, parents are rarely concerned about the peer pressure their kids may face to engage in sports or exercise, as these are typically seen as healthy social behaviors. This is OK, as long as the exercise or sport does not become an unhealthy way of coping, excessive to the point of negatively affecting their health, or dangerous (as in dangerous sports).

What starts out as positive peer pressure may become negative pressure if it leads a person to over-identify with sports, for example, putting exercise and competition above all else.

If taken to an extreme, they may develop exercise addiction , causing them to neglect schoolwork and social activities, and ultimately, use exercise and competition in sports as their main outlet for coping with the stresses of life. This can also lead to numerous health consequences.

What Are Examples of Positive Peer Pressure?

We tend to hear more about the potentially negative effects of peer pressure. But the reality is, peer pressure can also be positive. For instance, two friends might put positive pressure on each other to go to the gym together and stay accountable for their fitness goals.

Teens who volunteer in their community can keep each other motivated to participate. This involvement can lead to exposure to role models and eventually lead to the teens becoming positive role models themselves.

You can also positively peer pressure others by the way you respond to situations. For instance, if your friend is body-shaming another person, you can say, "Actually, it can be really harmful to criticize people's bodies like that."

In turn, your friend might reconsider criticizing people based on their appearance. By simply adhering to your own values and sharing them with a friend, you can positively peer pressure them to think before making a negative comment.

Although parents worry about the influence of peers, overall, parents also can have a strong influence on whether children succumb to negative peer pressure.

Rather than worrying about the effects of their children's friendships, parents would do well to focus on creating a positive, supportive home environment. That way, even if your child is peer pressured to do something they don't want to do, they'll feel comfortable coming to you to talk about it first.

Role modeling good emotional self-regulation may also help your child stick to their own values when it comes to peer pressure. Self-regulation involves the ability to control thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in order to manage current behavior and achieve long-term goals.

This will teach your child positive ways of solving problems and coping with uncomfortable feelings , rather than trying to escape by doing things to fit into a crowd. Parents can balance the peer pressure to take potentially harmful risks by ensuring they set appropriate boundaries, provide support, and help avoid risks. A few examples:

• Pick up your child from events where alcohol or drugs may have been consumed.
• Provide balanced, truthful information on issues such as alcohol and drug use.
• Stay involved in your child's life. Believe it or not, you are one of their biggest influences and they listen when you talk.
• Urge the importance of thinking before doing. Teach teens to ask themselves questions like: Could this harm me or someone else? Will this put my health or safety at risk? Is it legal? What are the long-term consequences for my health, family, education, and future?

As parents, we must be mindful of the impact of peer pressure on ourselves as our children will be observing and take notice.

Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to peer pressure because they are at a stage of development when they are separating more from their parents' influence, but have not yet established their own values or understanding of human relationships or the consequences of their behavior.

They are also typically striving for social acceptance and are more willing to engage in behaviors against their better judgment to be accepted.

However, adults are also vulnerable to peer pressure. Many adults are susceptible to drinking too much because their friends are doing it, or putting work before family because they're competing with other people in their office for a promotion.

Being aware of, and carefully choosing the influence of peers that will lead to healthy and happy experiences is a lifelong process.

How to Deal With Peer Pressure

Dealing with peer pressure can be difficult, but below are some ways to help address it.

Take Your Time

Instead of quickly agreeing to do something you'd rather not do, pause and take a few deep breaths . If someone is waiting for you to answer them, tell them you need to take a few days and think about it. It's easier to resist the pressure when you put some time and space between yourself and the situation.

Consider Your Reasons

When you're faced with a choice, ask yourself what your reasons are for doing something. If it's because all of your friends are doing it and you're afraid they won't talk to you if you don't join them, then you may want to reconsider.

You deserve to surround yourself with supportive people who respect your decisions—not people who pressure you into doing something that doesn't feel right.

Set Boundaries

Saying "no" can be hard, but it's necessary to set healthy boundaries in relationships . If someone persistently pressures you to do something, you can try telling them how it affects you.

For instance, you might say something like, "It upsets me when you offer me a cigarette when you know I don't smoke. I won't be able to keep hanging out with you if you don't respect my answer."

Offer an Alternative

It's possible that a friend who is peer pressuring you simply wants to spend more time with you or connect with you, but they don't know how else to ask.

If they pressure you to do shots with them at the bar when you aren't drinking, for example, you might suggest that you both hit the dance floor instead. Or maybe, you make a plan to go on a hike or to the movies the next time you hang out. That way, you're fulfilling both of your needs in a mutually beneficial way.

Clark DA, Donnellan MB, Durbin CE, et al. Sex, drugs, and early emerging risk: Examining the association between sexual debut and substance use across adolescence . PLoS ONE. 2020;15(2):e0228432. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0228432

Stanaland A, Gaither S. “Be a man”: The role of social pressure in eliciting men’s aggressive cognition . Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2021;47(11):1596-1611. doi:10.1177/0146167220984298

Sabramani V, Idris IB, Ismail H, Nadarajaw T, Zakaria E, Kamaluddin MR. Bullying and its associated individual, peer, family and school factors: Evidence from Malaysian National Secondary School students .  Int J Environ Res Public Health . 2021;18(13):7208. doi:10.3390/ijerph18137208

Kim J, Fletcher JM. The influence of classmates on adolescent criminal activities in the United States .  Deviant Behav . 2018;39(3):275-292. doi:10.1080/01639625.2016.1269563

National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens. Why Does Peer Pressure Influence Teens To Try Drugs? .

Pamela Rackow, Urte Scholz, Rainer Hornung.  Received social support and exercising: An intervention study to test the enabling hypothesis .  British Journal of Health Psychology , 2015;20(4):763. doi:10.1111/bjhp.12139

Vogel L. Fat shaming is making people sicker and heavier .  CMAJ . 2019;191(23):E649. doi:10.1503/cmaj.109-5758

Dhull P, Beniwal RD. Dealing with peer pressure . Online International Interdisciplinary Research Journal. 2017;7.

By Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD is a psychologist, professor, and Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University, Canada. 

Peer Pressure Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on peer pressure.

Peer pressure can be both negative and positive. Because if a person is a peer pressuring you for a good cause then it is motivation. Motivation is essential for the growth of a person. While peer pressure for a bad cause will always lead you to a disastrous situation.

Therefore it necessary for a person to not get influenced by the people around them. They should analyze the outcome of the deed in a strict manner. So that they no may commit anything harmful for themselves. As this world is full of bad people, so you need to be careful before trusting anybody.

Advantages of Peer Pressure

Peer pressure is advantageous in many ways. Most importantly it creates a sense of motivation in the person. Which further forces the person to cross the barrier and achieve something great. Furthermore, it boosts the confidence of a person. Because our brain considers people’s opinions and makes them a priority.

Many salesmen and Entrepreneurs use this technique to influence people to buy their products. Whenever we are in a social meet we always get various recommendations. Therefore when a person gets these recommendations the brain already starts liking it. Or it creates a better image of that thing. This forces the person to buy the product or at least consider it.

This peer pressure technique also works in creating a better character of a person. For instance, when we recommend someone for a particular job, the interviewer already gets a better image of that person. Because he is recommended by a person the interviewer trusts. Therefore there is a great chance of that person to get hired.

Above all the main advantage of peer pressure can be in youth. If a young person gets influenced by an individual or a group of people. He can achieve greater heights in his career.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Disadvantages of Peer Pressure

There are various disadvantages of peer pressure which can harm a person in many ways. If any person is not willing to perform a task then the peer pressure can be frustrating to him.

Furthermore, peer pressure should not be in an excessive manner. Because it lands a negative impact on the person. A person should be of the mindset of listening to himself first. While considering opinions in favor of him.

Peer pressure in youth from a bad company can lead a person to a nasty situation. Furthermore, it can also hamper a student’s career and studies if not averted. Youth these days are much influenced by the glamorous life of celebrities.

And since they follow them so much, these people become their peers. Thus they do such things that they should not. Drugs and smoking are major examples of this. Moreover most shocking is that the minors are even doing these things. This can have adverse effects on their growth and career.

It is necessary to judge the outcome of a deed before getting influenced by peers. Furthermore, peer pressure should always be secondary. Your own thoughts and wants should always have the first priority.

Q1. What is peer pressure?

A1 . Peer pressure is the influence on people by their peers. As a result, people start following their opinions and lifestyle. Furthermore, it is considering a person or his opinion above all and giving him the priority.

Q2. Which sector of the society is the peer pressure adversely affecting?

A2 . Peer pressure has adverse effects on the youth of society. Some false influencers are playing with the minds of the youngsters. As a result, the youth is going in the wrong direction and ruining their career opportunities.

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Peer Pressure: Everyone's Doing It

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How Peer Pressure Affects All Ages

• Is It Always Bad?

Overcoming Peer Pressure

Peer pressure is any type of influence, positive or negative, that comes from a peer group. This peer group may be of similar age (e.g., children in the same classroom) but it can also be defined by other commonalities, including motherhood, professional affiliations, and your local neighborhood.

Peer pressure occurs throughout the lifespan, but learning to cope by building self-confidence and surrounding yourself with positive influences may help prevent problems with peer pressure from arising later.

This article will explain what peer pressure looks like in young adults and teens and how it can affect adults.

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What Is Peer Pressure?

Peer pressure often occurs when one or more members of your social group pressure you to behave or act in particular ways. It is often associated with negative or harmful activities like substance use, reckless driving, and more.

Peer Pressure in Children

Peer pressure doesn’t suddenly appear at a certain age. Peer pressure transcends age groups and can begin before the first day of school at daycare, playgroup, and more.

Once a child begins seeing themselves as a part of a community, the desire to fit in may occur for better or worse. This is why it is important to talk to your child early on about peer pressure and how to avoid being led into negative behaviors by their peers.

Peer pressure in younger children tends to be limited to copying bad behaviors such as acting out or taking things that don't belong to them.

Signs of Peer Pressure

A child who is experiencing peer pressure may:

• Seem to have sudden changes in long-held beliefs and values
• Have noticeable changes in attitude and behavior
• Start dressing differently
• Seem disconnected from family
• Seem dissatisfied with themselves and their social life

Peer Pressure in Older Teens and Young Adults

Older teens and young adults may be peer pressured to engage in harmful activities like drinking alcohol, smoking, or reckless driving. At this age, peer pressure has the potential to affect a child's long-term health and well-being and put them into dangerous situations.

Gender can affect how these pressures are internalized and expressed. For example, of the 29% of teens who responded they felt peer pressure to look “good,” girls were more likely than boys to say they feel a lot of pressure to look good (35% vs. 23%).  

Peer Pressure in Adults

Adults are not exempt from facing societal expectations and peer judgment or influence. For example, you may carry the pressure of academic achievement into your career. You may also face challenges like wanting to “keep up with the Jones’” and feel pressure to purchase items you cannot afford to maintain an image that fits into your work, social, or neighborhood environment. 

Peer pressure is more than someone asking you to try drugs or drink alcohol. The following were listed as the top pressures experienced by teens aged 13 to 17 in one study:

• Academic achievement (61% responded they feel pressure to get strong grades)
• Looking a certain way (29% felt pressure to look “good”)
• Fit into social peer groups (28% )
• Be more involved in extracurriculars and be good at athletics (21%)
• Drug and alcohol use (4% and 6%, respectively)

Types of Peer Pressure

You can experience peer pressure from people without them saying anything to you, and you can experience it from direct remarks made by others. 

• Direct peer pressure happens when one or more people directly encourage you to behave in a certain way or engage in certain activities.
• Indirect peer pressure is the subtle type that pulls you into conforming to a social group to increase your chances of acceptance. For example, this might involve seeing other people who are considered "cool" drinking at a party.

We hear much more about direct peer pressure, as it is easier to detect and recognize as problematic. It sounds like someone telling you to stop worrying, start having fun, and be part of the group by participating in something you don't feel comfortable with. It may also be a threat, such as, "You can't hang out with us if you're not going to drink."

Is Peer Pressure Always Negative?

Peer pressure is not always negative. Trying to fit into a healthy social group, for example, of peers getting good grades, joining sports teams, and making plans for their futures, is positive. Some refer to this type of peer “pressure” as peer “influence.”

According to Brett Laursen, Ph.D., a fellow of the American Psychological Association whose work focuses on the outcome of children’s interactions with peers and parents, peer influence can occur anytime one peer is more “influential” than the other.

Benefits of Peer Pressure

Peer influence can show you there is support, encouragement, and community available to you. By seeing someone else do something positive, even if it’s challenging, you may reflect on your own life choices, goals, and where you spend your time.

Examples of positive peer influence include:

• Joining an extracurricular activity or trying a new hobby
• Challenging and not participating in gossip 
• Avoiding drugs and alcohol 
• Working to save money for college
• Going to therapy (solo or couples)
• Making a career change

Risks of Peer Pressure

The risks associated with peer pressure may not be immediately obvious or seem like cautionary tales, but they are serious and can have life-altering consequences.

Why Young People Are More Susceptible

Young people may be more susceptible to peer pressure because their identities are still forming; they desire to fit in and not be bullied and have less risk aversion than adults.  

In addition, a combination of other age-related and developmental factors contribute to youth’s increased susceptibility to peer pressure:

• They may have trouble regulating their emotions.
• They may be more vulnerable to the effects of reward.
• They favor immediate over delayed prospects.

Substance Abuse

Peer pressure to use substances like alcohol and cannabis can unfold into problems with substance abuse .

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), teen substance use affects brain development and can contribute to adult health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and sleep disorders.

In Sexual Situations

Peer pressure can lead a person to engage in sexual activity before they are ready. It may also influence the person to participate in unsafe, risky, or dangerous sexual activities. The consequences may include being exposed to a sexually transmitted infection (STI), developing pregnancy, or having images of yourself posted online without consent.

Mental Health

Being pressured by peers can be a stressful experience, whether it happens in person or online . It may shake your sense of identity and self-confidence and may contribute to excessive worry. In addition, prolonged exposure to this type of stress and tension may be a factor in mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression .

Rising above peer pressure means not giving in to the pull of others to act in a certain way. No matter your age, you can practice not giving in to negative peer pressure and work on surrounding yourself with more positive influences.

Some ways of coping with peer pressure include:

• Not spending time with people who pressure you to do things that feel wrong or dangerous
• Having difficult conversations , learning to say "no," and practicing leaving situations that feel unsafe or uncomfortable. This may include calling a parent or spouse for support. 
• Befriending people who resist negative peer pressure and/or who have a positive influence
• Talking to a trusted peer or professional (e.g., teacher or counselor) if you have problems saying “no” or are feeling pressured to change something about yourself

Peer pressure is about the influence of others. It can be implicit or explicit, positive or negative. When the pressure is positive, encouraging you to become a better version of yourself, it may be referred to as peer “influence.”

While peer influence can improve your life, peer pressure can cause problems. For example, you may feel pressure to do unsafe things that have risks you may not fully know. Resisting peer pressure can involve avoiding it, saying no, and surrounding yourself with more positive influences.

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Peer pressure .

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Peer pressure . 

American Academy of Family Physicians. Helping your child deal with peer pressure .

Pew Research. Most U.S. teens see anxiety and depression as a major problem among their peers .

American Psychological Association. Speaking of psychology: the good and bad of peer pressure .

Meehan ZM, Hubbard JA, Moore CC, Mlawer F. Susceptibility to peer influence in adolescents: Associations between psychophysiology and behavior . Dev Psychopathol . 2022:1-13. doi:10.1017/S0954579422000967

National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens.  Why does peer pressure influence teens to try drugs?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Teen substance use and risk .

Widman L, Choukas-Bradley S, Helms SW, Prinstein MJ. Adolescent susceptibility to peer influence in sexual situations . J Adolesc Health . 2016;58(3):323-329. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.10.253

American Psychological Association. Stress .

By Michelle Pugle Pulge is a freelance health writer focused on mental health content. She is certified in mental health first aid.

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Peer Pressure Persuasive speech

Persuasive Speech – Peer Pressure

Good Afternoon.

I am standing here today to defend our rights and our liberty of freedom to decide. Would you do something that you do not want, like smoking or dealing or doing drugs or drinking alcohol in order to “fit in”? Let me tell you that you are violating yourself as a person If your answer is yes, because you are not staying true to yourself and you are making some other person treat you like a puppet, by making you do things that can hurt, ruin and damage your body.

I am a high school student, so this means I am around this kind of things all the time. All this peer pressure starts because they tell you that if you don’t do something, like deal drugs, or smoke or alcohol, you are not part of the group because there is no reason not to do it.  They often tell you that if you do drink alcohol you´ll get into a state of “happiness” and you will have a much better time, they also tell you that nothing bad is going to happen. But is this even true? Will you have a better time in your state of “happiness” unaware of what you are doing, or being sober, when your brain can clearly function?

This is a preview of the whole essay

Most kids are terrified that if they don’t do this they will be alone, with no friends, and they will appear childish, and they´ll think they are going to die because their social status is going to crash, because of what their friends tell them. So they accept to the offer, because they don’t want to be the only ones not drinking or smoking, they become someone they are not, only to keep having your “friends”. But are they really their friends? They are treating them like some toy they can take around, telling them what do or what not only to stay with them, if not they throw you out and tell everyone that you are a kid because you don’t do that. But smoking, dealing or doing drugs and drinking alcohol is damaging both the body and the mind because then teenagers do not know who they are and what is right and what is wrong because they are being fooled by their friends that what they believe isn’t true, that there is not going to be any consequences. Once you start you think that everything is going to be the same. But is it?

After this step you can’t ever go back to how it was before, your old self gets lost behind, you cross the line to the wrong side, you start drinking, then you start smoking, then drugs and there you don’t realize that because of the peer pressure and not staying true to yourself and not being able to say “no”, and being fooled by your friends, who are in the same situation, you can end up in a hospital with lung cancer, AID´s or alcoholism coma.

What happens to most teenagers is that they don’t realize that they are doing a wrong thing; they loose conscience of what is right and what is wrong. And only gain that conscience when they get to the extreme. They are so self-centered in not loosing their “friends” that they do not realize that they are ruining their bodies and power of decision. Nobody tells them that they are losing themselves.

So if you are one of these teenagers, being ordered by another one to do things you don’t want to, gain that conscience that you can always start to be true to yourself again. Don’t be a coward, say “No!” don’t be afraid to defend your rights, and if your social group doesn’t understand that, find another one that accepts you for who you are, not for what to do. It is not the end of the world, if you are conscious of what you are doing, you can find your true self that is lost somewhere inside of you, and leave that part of you who only follows other people’s rules. Because that is what you are doing, obeying them.

If you have a friend who is going through this, help him or her, because this can end up badly. If it is difficult to do, there are organizations that can help.

But remember that you always have to stay true to yourself, no matter what happens or what people tell you. Learn to say no, and do what you want and believe in you, not what other persons tell you to do.

Thank you for your time.

I hope you understand the consequences peer pressure can lead and you know that there are solutions, so that you can actually enjoy your time in high school by just being you

Document Details

• Word Count 821
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Home / Counseling / Alcohol and Other Drugs / How to Handle Peer Pressure

• How to Handle Peer Pressure

The desire to fit in and feel like you are part of a group is normal, and most people feel this way sometimes, especially in the teen and young adult years. Peer pressure, that feeling that you have to do something to fit in, be accepted, or be respected, can be tough to deal with. It can be overt (i.e., friends telling you to do something) or less direct (e.g., friends joking around about your not doing what they are doing, seeing others at a party doing shots and feeling left out if you don't, knowing a friend tried LSD and feeling curious about it). While peer pressure can be helpful at times (e.g., recognizing that your friends are studying more than you are as a motivator for you to work harder, noticing that your drinking is more extreme than your friends' and deciding to cut back), it can also cause you to do things you may not be sure about, or even things that you don't really think are right for you. Dealing with this pressure can be challenging, but it’s important to reflect on your own personal values and preferences and make decisions based on those rather than on peer pressure.

Manging peer pressure is usually not that difficult if you are only surrounded by people whose values, preferences, and behaviors are similar to yours. However, in a college environment, it's very likely that you will meet people with a wide variety of attitudes and behaviors. At times, it may feel easy to know where you stand and act accordingly, but at other times, you might feel confused, pressured, or tempted to act against your own judgment. What's more, college may be a time when you are away from home and family with more freedom to make your own choices than before. You might even feel a desire to do things your family doesn't do or doesn't think are OK as a way to establish your own identity and try new things. Again, it's important to reflect on what you think is important, your values, and who you want to be. It's also good to try and think ahead to potential consequences of an action. If you go with the crowd and do something you might not have considered before, what will happen? Could there be a negative outcome? Could you feel bad about yourself for acting against your values or judgment? All important considerations!

When it comes to pressures around alcohol and other drug use, something else to think about is that most students overestimate how many of their peers drink or use drugs. The truth is that many fewer college students drink or use drugs than people assume. It's similar with sex and "hooking up"—most students have a skewed idea of what others are doing. Knowing the facts can help you to resist pressures based on the idea that "everyone is doing it" and that you must party to fit in.

When faced with overt or indirect pressure to do something you're not sure about, try using the following strategies:

• Give yourself permission to avoid people or situations that don't feel right and leave a situation that becomes uncomfortable. Work on setting boundaries. It's OK for you to do what is best for you.
• Check in with yourself. Ask, "How am I feeling about this?" "Does this seem right to me?" "What are the pros and cons of making this decision?"
• Recognize unhealthy dynamics: It's not OK for others to pressure, force, or trick you into doing things you don't want to or for others to make threats if you don't give in. It's not OK for others to mock, belittle, shame, or criticize you for your choices. You can ask others to stop these behaviors, or you can choose to avoid spending time with people who act in these ways.
• Spend time with people who respect your decisions and won't put unfair pressure on you to conform.
• Remember that you can't (and don't have to) please everyone or be liked by everyone. This can be hard to accept, but it helps to try.
• When people or situations that make you feel pressured are not avoidable, try the "delay tactic": Give yourself time to think about your decision instead of giving an immediate answer: "Let me think about that," "Can I get back to you?" or "Check back with me in an hour."
• When you can't avoid or delay a pressure-filled situation, practice saying "No thanks" or just "No!" If "no" feels uncomfortable, practice using other responses, such as "Not today," "Maybe another time," or "Thanks, but I can't."
• It's OK to use an excuse if the truth is too challenging. For example, if someone offers you a drink and you want to say no but feel awkward, say you're on medication or have to get up early the next day.
• Take a friend who supports you along if you are going to be in a pressure-filled situation and let them know what your intentions are (e.g., "I don't want to drink, so if you see me about to, remind me that I wanted to stay sober").
• Stand up for others when you see them being pressured. "Bystander intervention" (stepping in to help out when you see someone in trouble) can be an effective way to support others and send a message. If you don't feel comfortable directly confronting the person doing the pressuring, try distracting them or inviting the person being pressured to do something else (e.g., "Hey, come to the ladies room with me" or "Let's go over there and take a selfie").
• Ask for advice or support from a parent or other trusted family member, a clergy person, a mentor, or a counselor if you need it.
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2 Minute Speech On Peer Pressure In English

Good morning everyone present here, today I am going to give a speech on peer pressure. Today, peer pressure is a problem that many kids face. Society provides kids with deceptive advertising that appears to steer them in unneeded ways. It is true what is said: the future of our globe will be much better off if today’s youth have more education.

Children today are subject to a variety of pressures. Others frequently exert pressure on you to take part in activities that you may not want to.

Peer pressure can be difficult because a child may feel under pressure to act, behave, think, and look a specific way by peers and schoolmates. Everything can be covered by this pressure. Teenagers deal with a variety of issues that may influence their decision-making. Sometimes, these choices are bad ones made to satisfy their need to fit in. There are techniques to combat peer pressure, despite the fact that it can be quite powerful and difficult to resist.

Negative peer pressure is not always simple to reject, but when you do, it is crucial and likely that you will feel good about it later. And you might even be a good role model for your friends who share your sentiments; frequently, all it takes is one individual to speak up or choose an alternative course of action to change a circumstance. Peer pressure is not necessarily bad, as the cliché goes. It can sometimes instill in people new interests, routines, attitudes, a strong will to succeed, or even a healthy conscience. Thank you. 

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Home » Blog » General » Developing Self-Confidence: Engaging Activities to Resist Peer Pressure

Developing Self-Confidence: Engaging Activities to Resist Peer Pressure

Introduction:

Self-confidence plays a crucial role in resisting peer pressure and making independent decisions. When individuals have a strong sense of self-worth and belief in their abilities, they are more likely to stay true to themselves and make choices that align with their values. In this blog post, we will explore engaging activities that can help develop self-confidence and empower individuals to say no to peer pressure.

Understanding Peer Pressure

Peer pressure refers to the influence exerted by peers on an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It can be categorized into two types: positive peer pressure and negative peer pressure. Positive peer pressure involves encouraging and motivating individuals to engage in healthy and constructive activities, while negative peer pressure involves pressuring individuals to conform to behaviors that may be harmful or against their values.

Peer pressure can have a significant impact on an individual’s self-confidence. When individuals feel pressured to conform to the expectations of their peers, they may doubt their own abilities and feel insecure about their choices. Developing self-confidence is essential in resisting negative peer pressure and making decisions that are in line with one’s values and beliefs.

Building Self-Confidence

Building self-confidence is a process that involves recognizing and embracing individual strengths and abilities, setting realistic goals, and developing a positive self-image and self-talk.

Recognizing and embracing individual strengths and abilities is an important step in building self-confidence. By acknowledging what they are good at and what makes them unique, individuals can develop a sense of self-worth and belief in their abilities. Engaging in activities that allow individuals to showcase their strengths and talents can further enhance their self-confidence.

Setting realistic goals and celebrating achievements is another effective way to build self-confidence. By setting small, achievable goals and celebrating each milestone, individuals can develop a sense of accomplishment and belief in their abilities. This, in turn, can boost their self-confidence and empower them to resist peer pressure.

Developing a positive self-image and self-talk is crucial in building self-confidence. Encouraging individuals to focus on their positive qualities and practice positive self-talk can help them develop a healthy self-image and belief in their abilities. Affirmations and positive self-statements can be powerful tools in building self-confidence.

Engaging Activities to Resist Peer Pressure

Engaging in activities that simulate real-life situations can help individuals develop the skills and confidence to resist peer pressure. Here are some activities that can be effective in building self-confidence and empowering individuals to say no to peer pressure:

1. Role-playing scenarios

Role-playing scenarios allow individuals to practice saying no assertively and offering alternative suggestions in a safe and controlled environment. By acting out different peer pressure situations, individuals can develop the confidence and skills to resist negative influences. Encourage participants to use assertive body language, maintain eye contact, and use clear and confident language when saying no.

2. Group discussions and debates

Group discussions and debates provide opportunities for individuals to explore different perspectives and build their communication and critical thinking skills. By engaging in thoughtful discussions and debates, individuals can develop the confidence to express their opinions and make informed decisions. Encourage participants to listen actively, respect others’ viewpoints, and articulate their thoughts clearly and confidently.

3. Creative expression through art or writing

Engaging in creative activities such as art or writing can provide individuals with a means of self-reflection and self-expression. Encourage participants to create artwork or write about their values, beliefs, and personal experiences. This can help foster self-acceptance, self-esteem, and a sense of identity, which are essential in resisting peer pressure.

Implementing Activities in Daily Life

Engaging in activities to develop self-confidence and resist peer pressure is most effective when integrated into daily life. Here are some strategies for implementing these activities:

1. Creating a supportive environment

Building a network of positive influences is crucial in developing self-confidence and resisting peer pressure. Encourage individuals to surround themselves with supportive friends and family members who respect their choices and values. Additionally, promote open communication at home and school, where individuals feel comfortable discussing their concerns and seeking guidance.

2. Setting boundaries and making informed choices

Understanding personal values and beliefs is essential in resisting peer pressure. Encourage individuals to identify their values and set boundaries accordingly. By understanding what is important to them, individuals can make informed choices that align with their values and resist negative peer pressure. Practicing assertiveness and decision-making skills can further empower individuals to say no to peer pressure.

Developing self-confidence is a crucial step in resisting peer pressure and making independent choices. By engaging in activities that build self-confidence, individuals can develop a strong sense of self-worth and belief in their abilities. Role-playing scenarios, group discussions, and creative expression through art or writing are effective activities that can empower individuals to say no to peer pressure. By implementing these activities in daily life and creating a supportive environment, individuals can develop the skills and confidence to resist negative influences. Start your EverydaySpeech Free trial today and empower yourself or your child to develop self-confidence and resist peer pressure!

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The Myth of Positivity: Rethinking Peer Pressure’s Impact

This essay about the pervasive myth of positivity explores how societal pressure to maintain a relentlessly upbeat facade influences our behavior and beliefs. It into the subtle ways peer pressure operates, from the workplace to social media and personal relationships. Highlighting the detrimental effects of toxic positivity, it advocates for embracing the full spectrum of human emotions and fostering genuine connections based on authenticity and empathy. By challenging the myth of positivity, the essay encourages readers to cultivate deeper connections and lead more fulfilling lives.

How it works

In the cacophony of self-help literature and motivational seminars, one pervasive idea reigns supreme: positivity. From Instagram influencers to corporate mantras, we’re bombarded with messages urging us to “stay positive” and “think happy thoughts.” Positivity has become a cultural obsession, hailed as the panacea for all of life’s woes. But beneath its glossy surface lies a shadowy truth: the myth of positivity often masks the insidious influence of peer pressure.

Peer pressure, typically associated with negative behaviors like substance abuse or reckless behavior, is rarely framed in the context of positivity.

Yet, it lurks in the background, quietly dictating our choices and shaping our identities. The pressure to conform to a relentlessly upbeat facade can be just as suffocating as any negative influence.

Consider the workplace, where the cult of positivity is particularly pervasive. Employees are encouraged to plaster on fake smiles and exude relentless optimism, regardless of their actual feelings. Expressions of doubt or dissatisfaction are swiftly silenced, dismissed as signs of weakness or lack of commitment. In this environment, peer pressure operates not through coercion, but through subtle cues and social norms. Those who dare to deviate from the script risk ostracism and professional repercussions.

Similarly, social media amplifies the pressure to project an image of unbridled happiness and success. We curate our online personas, meticulously selecting the most flattering photos and crafting captions that highlight our achievements and adventures. Behind the carefully cultivated facade, however, lies a pervasive sense of insecurity and inadequacy. We measure our worth in likes and followers, constantly seeking validation from our peers.

The myth of positivity also infiltrates our personal relationships, where the pressure to maintain a facade of happiness can be particularly damaging. We fear burdening others with our problems, so we bury our true feelings beneath layers of forced smiles and empty platitudes. This facade may temporarily preserve harmony, but it erodes the foundation of genuine connection and intimacy.

Moreover, the relentless pursuit of positivity can breed toxic positivity – the belief that all negative emotions are inherently bad and should be suppressed at all costs. This attitude trivializes legitimate concerns and dismisses the complexity of the human experience. It creates a culture of denial, where problems are swept under the rug rather than addressed head-on.

In reality, true positivity isn’t about plastering on a fake smile or denying the existence of negative emotions. It’s about embracing the full spectrum of human experience – the highs and the lows, the triumphs and the failures. It’s about cultivating resilience in the face of adversity and finding meaning in life’s inevitable challenges.

Rethinking peer pressure’s impact requires us to challenge the myth of positivity and confront the ways in which it subtly shapes our behavior and beliefs. It means creating spaces where authenticity is valued over conformity, where vulnerability is celebrated rather than stigmatized. It means fostering genuine connections based on mutual respect and empathy, rather than superficial niceties.

As individuals, we must give ourselves permission to feel the full range of emotions – even the uncomfortable ones. We must resist the urge to compare ourselves to others and instead focus on our own journey of self-discovery and growth. And we must challenge the pervasive narratives that equate positivity with worthiness, recognizing that true happiness comes from embracing our authentic selves, warts and all.

In conclusion, the myth of positivity obscures the subtle ways in which peer pressure influences our thoughts and behaviors. By rethinking our approach to positivity and embracing the complexity of human experience, we can cultivate deeper connections and lead more fulfilling lives. It’s time to let go of the facade and embrace the messy, beautiful reality of being human.

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Infants hear significantly more speech than music at home, study finds

by Lauren Kirschman, University of Washington

Speech and music are the dominant elements of an infant's auditory environment. While past research has shown that speech plays a critical role in children's language development, less is known about the music that infants hear.

A new University of Washington study, published May 21 in Developmental Science , is the first to compare the amount of music and speech that children hear in infancy. Results showed that infants hear more spoken language than music, with the gap widening as the babies get older.

"We wanted to get a snapshot of what's happening in infants' home environments," said corresponding author Christina Zhao, a UW research assistant professor of speech and hearing sciences.

"Quite a few studies have looked at how many words babies hear at home, and they've shown that it's the amount of infant-directed speech that's important in language development. We realized we don't know anything about what type of music babies are hearing and how it compares to speech."

Researchers analyzed a dataset of daylong audio recordings collected in English-learning infants' home environments at ages 6, 10, 14, 18 and 24 months. At every age, infants were exposed to more music from an electronic device than an in-person source. This pattern was reversed for speech. While the percentage of speech intended for infants significantly increased with time, it stayed the same for music.

"We're shocked at how little music is in these recordings," said Zhao, who is also the director of the Lab for Early Auditory Perception (LEAP), housed in the Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences (I-LABS). "The majority of music is not intended for babies. We can imagine these are songs streaming in the background or on the radio in the car. A lot of it is just ambient."

This differs from the highly engaging, multi-sensory movement-oriented music intervention that Zhao and her team had previously implemented in lab settings . During these sessions, music played while infants were given instruments and researchers taught caregivers how to synchronize their babies' movement with music. A control group of babies then came to the lab just to play.

"We did that twice," Zhao said. "Both times, we saw the same result: that music intervention was enhancing infant's neural responses to speech sounds. That got us thinking about what would happen in the real world. This study is the first step into that bigger question."

Past studies have largely relied on qualitative and quantitative parental reports to examine musical input in infants' environments, but parents tend to overestimate the amount they talk or sing to their children.

This study closes the gap by analyzing daylong auditory recordings made with Language Environment Analysis (LENA) recording devices. The recordings, originally created for a separate study, documented infants' natural sound environment for up to 16 hours per day for two days at each recording age.

Researchers then crowdsourced the process of annotating the LENA data through the citizen science Zooniverse platform. Volunteers were asked to determine if there was speech or music in the clip. When speech or music was identified, listeners were then asked whether it came from an in-person or electronic source. Finally, they judged whether the speech or music was intended for a baby.

Since this research featured a limited sample, researchers are now interested in expanding their dataset to determine if the result can be generalized to different cultures and populations. A follow-up study will examine the same type of LENA recordings from infants in Latinx families. Since audio recordings lack context, researchers are also interested in when music moments are happening in infants' lives.

"We're curious to see whether music input is correlated with any developmental milestones later on for these babies," Zhao said.

"We know speech input is highly correlated with later language skills. In our data, we see that speech and music input are not correlated—so it's not like a family who tends to talk more will also have more music. We're trying to see if music contributes more independently to certain aspects of development."

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Election latest: Voters think Rishi Sunak beat Keir Starmer in first TV debate, snap poll finds

The latest reaction and fallout after Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer squared off in the first TV debate ahead of the general election on 4 July.

Wednesday 5 June 2024 00:00, UK

• General Election 2024

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Sunak vs Starmer TV debate

• Sunak beats Starmer in snap public poll of first debate
• Shout of 'shame' at PM's 'foreign court' ultimatum
• 'I dealt with terror plots': Starmer insists he's strong on defence
• Audience groans as Sunak partly blames strikes for state of NHS
• Jon Craig: Feisty Sunak finds success | Starmer needs to up game
• View from the spin room: Labour taken aback by snap poll
• Be in the audience for our election leaders event
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• Ed Conway: Why caps on migrant numbers don't really work
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Thank you for joining us for live coverage of the general election campaign today - and updates and analysis throughout the first TV debate between the two men vying for the keys to No 10.

Scroll down to read our full coverage, and we'll be back from 6am tomorrow with the latest.

If you want to relive tonight's prime ministerial debate, watch the highlights below...

We were just speaking with the shadow health secretary, Wes Streeting, when the veterans minister, Johnny Mercer, wandered over to join the conversation.

He asked if he could pose a question, but our chief political correspondent Jon Craig  (somewhat jokingly) replied: "No, I ask the questions."

Mr Mercer ploughed on, questioning how Mr Streeting is claiming that the Tories have made £71bn of unfunded pledges.

Mr Streeting replied that "it comes from adding up all the things you guys said you would do".

He listed scrapping national insurance and inheritance tax and the "teenage dad's army" national service plan.

Mr Mercer responded that the plan to scrap inheritance tax is "an ambition", to which Mr Streeting replied: "I've got an ambition to be an Olympic swimmer - doesn't mean it's going to happen."

The minister repeats that it is an ambition, and accuses Labour of "perpetrating a bit of a fraud on people" by claiming it is an immediate plan.

He also defended the national service proposal the debate audience laughed at, saying: "The idea of young people contributing, and volunteering, and being part of something greater than themselves... I think that's fantastic."

Watch their exchange below...

Amidst all the interrupting, criticising, and attack lines, the two prime ministerial hopefuls did manage to discuss some of the issues at stake as well.

YouGov viewers were asked how they think each man performed in the various sections of the debate.

Rishi Sunak came out on top in the sections about tax and immigration (just).

But Sir Keir Starmer was victorious in the discussions about the cost of living, the NHS, education, and climate change.

See the detailed results below...

Viewers polled by YouGov after the TV debate gave a rather mixed reaction.

1,657 people were asked to pick three words describing how they felt about the debate.

See the results for yourself...

By Jennifer Scott, political reporter

It's still buzzing and busy here in the spin room, with a few surprised faces from both camps over the leaders' performances.  

But Labour's national co-ordinator Pat McFadden takes time to talk to me in his characteristic calms tones (when it comes to media performances anyway...).

Asked how he thought his boss performed, he said: "I thought tonight went well on a range of issues - from the economy to the cost of living, to housing, to the health service, [Sir Keir Starmer] showed that he understood the kind of problems people are facing."

Turning to Rishi Sunak, he said: "The problem for the prime minister is that endlessly chanting 'the plan is working'... the more he does it, the more out of touch he seems with ordinary people's lives."

While the Labour leader appeared to cut through on some issues, others fell flat with the audience - including Sir Keir's plans for the environment and Great British Energy. Surely that was a blow for the man in charge of the campaign? 

I didn't really get an answer, just a justification of why it is a campaign focus...

"This is a really important nettle to grasp because if we don't grasp it, it will be more expensive for the country in the long run and more expensive for consumers," said Mr McFadden. 

And what about that poll that I surprised him and Mr Ashworth with an hour ago, now he has had time to digest it. Didn't they think Sir Keir would smash it out the park tonight? 

"No, we don't take anything for granted," he said. 

"That is a pretty even split for polling for the debate. We work very hard, we make no assumptions about this election and we keep doing that from now until polling day."

But surely it makes him nervous after riding high on poll leads of 27 points this week?

"Well, I was ignoring that anyway because the only poll that matters is the one on 4 July," said Mr McFadden.

"Everybody should remember Labour is the challenger, the Conservatives are the incumbent. 

"They have been in office for 14 years. And I do believe there is a mood for change out there in the country - but change will only come if people vote for it."

We have some more detail from the snap YouGov poll of the debate performance of the two prime ministerial candidates.

While Rishi Sunak just edged the win by 2%, digging into the detail reveals a more interesting picture.

Asked about the performance of the two men overall:

60% of viewers thought Sir Keir Starmer performed "fairly well" or "very well", whereas 55% of viewers gave Rishi Sunak the same ratings.

Sir Keir Starmer also won plaudits from 2019 Conservative voters, with 36% saying he performed "fairly well" or "very well".

Viewers were also asked about how each man came across.

Sir Keir Starmer was rated more "trustworthy" (49%), more "likeable" (50%) and more "in touch with ordinary voters" (66%).

But crucially, Rishi Sunak was rated more "prime ministerial" (43%).

It is frantic in the spin room as journalists climb over each other, stand on chairs and clamber round the campaign teams, trying to get their questions answered.

But I managed to get a bit of time with Health Secretary Victoria Atkins to ask her what she thought of Rishi Sunak's performance.

"I think it went really well," she said. 

"And I say that because he had the chance to show the absolute commitment and the energy that he brings to governing our great country."

Meanwhile, she thought Sir Keir Starmer "looked like a deer in the headlights at points as he is not used to answering questions". 

She refuted claims the PM came across as tetchy, saying: "We are talking about governing our country. I want someone who is determined I want someone who will speak up. 

"I want somebody who will not take nonsense, whether it is from Keir Starmer or Vladimir Putin."

And when I put to her Mr Sunak's performance had lacked somewhat on how to help young people - with his national service plan getting one of the biggest laughs of the night - she went on a bit of a tangent about the NHS app.

But I was the first to reveal to her the YouGov poll showing Mr Sunak won the day - just - and while she denied she looked surprised (she did), she said: "That means Rishi won! 

"I fully accept that we have got an enormous amount to do, as we should do in our democracy... so we will be taking that win and building on it in the weeks to come. 

"I am so pleased to hear that because I was proud of the prime minister tonight. 

"I think the policies he set out were really, really interesting and I hope the public saw some of the passion and the care that I see when I see him across the cabinet table."

Labour are "leaving Manchester stronger tonight", the shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth has told our deputy political editor  Sam Coates .

"That is because Keir Starmer made clear his commitment to fixing the NHS with 40,000 more appointments each week," he says.

"He talked about his commitment to bring down bills as we transition to clean energy and to transform education."

Mr Ashworth says he believes the British public "will decide it is time for change" after watching Sir Keir at the debate in Salford.

Pressed on whether Sir Keir really got to the heart of the questions he was asked, Mr Ashworth says "let me be clear about one topic - this issue Rishi Sunak raised about tax is a lie.

"Rishi Sunak out of desperation had to collapse into lying in that debate.

"We do not have a plan to tax households in the way in which Rishi Sunak described, and we are not putting up income tax, or national insurance and VAT.

"The only party that has made uncosted commitments in this campaign is Rishi Sunak's party."

The outgoing levelling up secretary, Michael Gove, is giving Sky News his reaction to tonight's TV debate.

It is put to him that Rishi Sunak did not do anything to transform the race, but Mr Gove disagrees, saying "it exploded Keir Starmer's claim to be a credible candidate for prime minister".

He "was found wanting" on everything from migration to taxes, he says.

Mr Gove claims the Labour leader showed he was not across the detail on his party's economic policy, as well as on energy.

During the debate, Mr Gove says the Labour leader said Great British Energy would produce energy, when in fact it's mainly an investment vehicle.

"Ed Miliband [Labour's shadow energy secretary] will have been watching this with his head in his hands as his own leader can't even recall what their climate policy is," he says.

The veteran cabinet minister adds: "You can tell from the downcast faces of Labour shadow cabinet figures - they recognise that their leader flopped tonight, their leader was exposed as a dud."

Liz Kendall, Labour's shadow work and pensions secretary, tells our deputy political editor  Sam Coates  that Sir Keir "set out a positive message of change for the country" during the debate.

She says one of the main things the Labour leader did was "connect with people about their real worries".

Asked if the public learnt a great deal about the Labour leader, Ms Kendall says Sir Keir was "really clear" about his plans to tackle the cost of living, cut NHS waiting times and to help young people.

"It's right to say if you want to judge who is the best person to run the country for the next five years, look at their record over the last 14 years," she says

"Rishi Sunak doesn't want to stand on his record because it is a record of failure."

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