Birds Of A Feather Flock Together !!!!!

Teenagers are more influenced by their peers than by adults.
The teenagers like the birds in the above adage behave in a similar fashion, and are hence more influenced by their peers rather than by elders. This is quite natural, for the teenagers mind is impressionable and hence is driven away by their mates in school or college. So great is the influence, that there is a perceptible change in the behaviour and personality of the teenager, as soon as they enter college. They try to emulate the peers in dress, hairstyle, clothes, language and even behaviour, thereby transforming their personality.

Being in the same group, class and social class status, they directly relate with them; Often idolising the peer, as their role model. On the other hand the adults, are perceived as stern, old fashioned, outdated and hence irrelevant. This is on account of the generation gap, that exists between today`s youth and elders. Since they spend most of the time with the peers it is quite natural for them to imbibe the values, culture and the behaviour of the group. They often succumb to peer pressure and do things that they would not normally do like smoking, abusing etc. the influence can be good or otherwise, depending on the peer group they join.The influence of peers is also greater as teenagers feel more reassured in their company. This is contrary to the awkwardness they feel when interacting with adults.

Shrewd market men exploit this behavioural characteristic of teenagers to promote sale of products targeting them specifically. Thus we find products like motorcycles, dresses and even life style products being endorsed by their peers or icons. Such endorsements soon become a craze with the teenager. This in itself is ample proof of the profound influence of peers on them.

One can therefore safely conclude that teenagers today are more influence by their peers, than by adults. This influence increases with materialistic values permeating the society. It is because of this parents ensure, that their wards have the right peers in school and college, so that they do not stray in life.