Have you ever wondered what it feels like to do something that you don't like but you have to? Did that experience help or not? Did it affect you as a person? Anyway, I remembered giving in to the urges of my friends during my high school because of one thing:peer pressure. Peer pressure can be good if it inspires the person,benefits him/her and is still consistent with his/her beliefs. On the other hand, it's not advisable to give in if it is against one's beliefs. In my case, I gave in and even though it was against my values or beliefs, I enjoyed it because I was able to benefit from it somehow.....So,where did I allow my friends to urge me in doing something I don't like? Smoking.....
So,during my second year high school,I was on my way home from La Salle when I met up with two of my friends. One was my classmate and the other was just my batchmate. They told me they had plans of playing Billiards at Robinsons Galleria. But,I told them I couldn't join them because I didn't have enought money. So, they offered me one condition-that they would me treat me out in billiards if I would finish one stick of cigarette!At first, I was really didn't like it because I never smoke in my life and I'm an athlete.I gave in anyway but I wasn't able to finish even half a stick.It was a good thing my friends were really understanding and accepted me that way as well.I had so much fun with them and it was really a meaningful experience though.
I learned from this experience that we all have our own beliefs,attitudes and values. And,it would really be uncomfortable if you would go against your cognitions (just like in my case which is smoking). I mean you would have a hard time doing it and chances are you have to make a stand on such situations. So,it is advisable to check if it would be harmful on your part to give in to peer pressure or not.I may have gone against my belief that it is unhealthy to smoke but I gave in because my friends were understanding and I wasn't harmed. :)
Dissonance can either do us good or bad. We sometimes give in to gain acceptance from our peers and also there's that thing called curiosity. Haha. Anyway, nice blog entry because you applied what we learned in class in your past experience. In the end, it all depends on the person's values whether or not he will give in to something no matter how close the person he/she is with.
ReplyDeleteThank you for mentioning me Migi! It's nice that you try to interact more with people now. You've been very quiet since last year and I'd like to hear and know more about you one day. Keep up the good work Migi and may you gain great friends along the way! :D
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