Peer pressure is viewed as a strong reason for boys falling behind in education and leaving school early, states a new report released by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The report Boys’ disengagement from education – Fiji case study was authored by Dr Wahab Ali, Associate Professor and Head of Education Department at the University of Fiji.
“Peers play a large role in the social and emotional development of children and adolescents. Their influence begins at an early age and increases through adolescence,” states the report.
“Peer influence can contribute to or prevent boys’ disengagement from education.
“The study found that the positive influence can become ‘negative pressure’ for some when the pressure to follow others can be hard to resist.
“Some boys fall into this trap by giving in to the pressure and doing questionable things.”
The report states most girls in this study identified peer pressure as the main reason for boys’ disengagement from school.
“Responding to peer pressure is part of human nature, but some people are better able to resist and stand their ground.
“This is where parental guidance with teacher oversight and early intervention can be useful in assisting students to make wiser decisions.”
