As parents, it is our responsibility to ensure that our children are protected from negative influences and provided with a safe and healthy environment.

Children look less to their parents and more to their peers for learning. Peer relationships provide a unique context in which children learn important social-emotional skills such as empathy, cooperation, and problem-solving strategies. However, peer relationships (where negative influences exist) can also play a negative role in social and emotional development. Therefore, it is important for parents to be aware of their child’s peers and their activities and observe them on a daily basis.

When I was in primary classes, I used to go to school with some of my friends. With these colleagues, I also learned good things that I still remember and must have inherited these good habits from my parents. But one day it happened that while going to school, the discussion started about homework. None of us had done that. In those days there were very severe punishments. The elder among us all suggested that why not hide from school today to avoid punishment?

We turned back but couldn’t even go back home now. We had to spend school time outside where no one could see us. We hid in the bushes along the road, but people were passing by, and we were afraid that no one would see us. So, we went out into the wilderness away from the population.

Now there was a fear that someone might kidnap us because in those days there was a fear of children being kidnapped. Had a hard day outside and went home after school time. We never did such a move after that. The reason for writing this note here is that children are under pressure from their peers, and they can make any decision under this pressure.

I have seen that children form groups based on their routines and interests and try to stay in them. Due to peer pressure, this relationship becomes quite strong. Under such pressure, they are willing to do anything. Positive group children are well-behaved while negative group children often ignore their parents and teachers and sometimes become rebellious.

Do you know a child who grew up in a good family but became a negative member of society due to bad peers?_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Learn more about children and upbringing.

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