Peer Pressure is never a new phenomenon. Every generation of living beings and communities has both discussed and experienced its perils in various shades and degrees of complexity. It is a surreal almost- fictitious social element which, like salt and sulfuric acid can corrode the main fabrique of a society negating all ethical codes and parenting efforts without any alarm. It is not studied or calculated by scientific formula, not viewed or monitored by telescopes, neither is it reduced to glibly political talk, religious promises or mere academic calculus. Write what books you may, show what movies and sing what songs of lure! Children will remain children. And fickle adults, never a wave of change!
Only love… And inspired knowledge can save, if imparted early on sound foundations. The child has to come to a point of personal appreciation… Of reasons why, and why not! And you and I cannot achieve this goal in our parenting efforts by merely being good breadwinners, fun adventure hosts and awesome buddies to our children, families and friends. Unfortunately, that’s the level our society has been reduced to. And we all are guilty.
Peer pressure is a real social malady of monstrous proportions. Attempting to eradicate it will be like a colossal mighty fight for a mirage. But we can culture and equip earth’s children to live above its fray in pride and meaningful success. The only problem is that we have marinated and eulogized this social malady in the midst of us so much that it is now hunting and tormenting us, turning meaningful parenting codes and efforts into an abysmal circus. Our children move around with the fear of being bullied and molested by devious perverts of all ages. As parents we grope about with fears that our kids will be handed some twisted social concepts and influenced by the importunity of uncultured peers in school and out of school.
Which way to go? There is an answer in God’s word about everything we meet and will meet in life, seen and unseen, tangible or surreal. But we need to seek that solution and come to terms with it before we can use it successfully to cure the cancerous elements that hound and threaten our mortal lives and existence in this terrestrial ball.
By:
Steve Chuku Ibeawuchi, M.Com, B.Th
