In every society, there exist, groups, that are part of the larger society but whose members adhere to norms and values that favour the violation of the norms of the larger society.
Hence, criminal behaviour oftentimes represents a collective response that is directed by subcultural values and norms of distinct collectivities such as peer groups within the larger group. Individuals in society will usually make friends or have their closest associates from among their peer groups.
Therefore, peer associates have a great influence on the lifestyle of their members. In fact, peer group association as an agent of socialization, determines to a large extent, what social codes an individual learns.
This implies that individuals whose core group members believe and act criminal within norms will learn and internalize more of criminal codes than those that conform with the norms of the society, and this is the negative form of peer pressure (group) influence in the country because its now serves as the bedrock for corrupt practices In Nigerian society.
Modern society consists of several groups including peer groups. Peer groups, especially teenage and adolescent peer groups present to members models of behaviour. These models are not merely presentations but are actually rewarded sometimes and punished at other times.
These groups sometimes do not only have standards that differ from those of the larger society but which also, sometimes are in opposition. Yet because members desire to be accepted, they act like the „meaningful others‟ (other members of the in-group).
Ogbebor identified that man learns by imitation and observed that in Nigeria youths through this means learn the act of crime.
Again, behaviour that is deviant or criminal (that is behaviour that violates the norms of society and is punished) is relative to different social contexts.
Societies especially modern ones consist of various groups with different subcultures. Hence, behaviour that conforms to one particular subculture, may be considered or viewed deviant outside of it. For example, there might be a strong pressure on a member of a university cult group to prove himself by raping a girl or even killing a student.
So also there may be pressure on someone in a position of affluence among the peer clique to engage in embezzling and tax evasion or to take or give bribe so as to be approved of or accepted.
Peer groups or associations have their own cultures, sanctions or rituals into which members are socialized and accordingly, members (especially new members) who do not comply with any of these may be ostracised.
Corruption is a worldwide phenomenon and continues to ravage states with endemic corruption activities. The truism that corruption is the surest route that hinders development in any society does not need contention. Though, in some quarters, it is argued that corruption could trigger development.
However, despite this assertion, there is a widely held opinion condemning corruption in all ramifications and hence, worldwide outcry and call for eradicating the scourge. In the words of Obasanjo “corruption has been responsible for the political instability of successive government since the First Republic.
Every coup since then has been in the name of stamping out the disease called corruption. Unfortunately, the cure turned out to be worse than the disease. And Nigeria has been worse for it. Nigeria’s external image took a serious bashing, as our beloved country began to fixture on every corruption index.
This statement shows the commonality of corruption in Nigeria which has permeated all the sectors of the economy, or aspect of the society. For instance, beyond the mere enjoyment of public funds, the amassing of wealth by illegal means does not seem to trouble Nigerians.
Today, Nigerians applaud and tolerate ill-gotten wealth which in reality is money stolen from public coffers. This is a pointer to the fact that corruption is endemic in Nigeria. It has permeated into every facet of the society; the family, the church and even the traditional systems are not left out of this contagious disease.
According to Ogbebor, he avers that the observation indicates that most violent crimes in Nigeria, are committed by youths. When children are unable to gain acceptance in their peer groups, they often experience a lifelong pattern of social rejection and failure.
Also revealed is the fact that as children get to their middle teens, the peer group becomes highly and possibly the most important influence on attitudes, goals and conduct norms.”
In other words, from peer evaluations, the individual’s image of himself/herself is being continuously formed and reformed.
Gravira and Raphael indicated that peer groups are so powerful that members are willing to deviate from the norms of the society in order to protect the interest, values, norms and expectations of their group thus members are under pressure to conform to peer subculture because the group consists of friends and people that they value highly and depend on for getting along in life.
Also, peer group encourage conformity by thinking alike. That is through regular patterns of interaction, they begin to think alike and as a result, believe in only the group viewpoint which also becomes the focal point for action. On the basis of this, any suggestions or actions contradicting the group viewpoint is considered as a sell-out or indicators of disloyalty and such cases or peers are negatively sanctioned (punished).
Thus, members of a peer group are often under pressure to deviate. Such pressure may operate within formal peer networks (for example, gangs) or informal peer networks (for example, friends).
Peer pressure is the power or influence a social group exerts on an individual or individuals. It may be found in children that are toddlers (that is age 2-3). Children of this age can mimic adults or if asked to do so take part in their actions. This type of influence can eventually affect the behaviour of such children in future.
Again with the common practice of pre-schooling in most Nigerian homes and families today, children between 3 and 4 years would sometimes not do what parents have taught them to do but would instead do things to please their friends just because they like them.
Due to their exposure to schooling so early, they become aware of manners of doing things and rules that are different from those of their parents or families. Then they may actually begin to demand to do some of the things parents had not allowed them to do. They may begin to cut boundaries or limits parents had set for them. Their peer group becomes more important to them as models.
Peer pressure becomes a disturbing and worrisome social problem as growing children take on their peer group as their role models. This is because they begin to act and develop copycat syndrome.
As a result of this syndrome, a child would desire the same kind of toys, wear the same kind of clothes, eat the same kind of food, share eating habits, share favourite television programmes share likes and dislikes, and even share bedtimes with peers.
At this point, the parents start having difficulties exercising social control on the child because the values and opinions of their peers (age or friendship cliques) as far as he/she is concerned to supersede those of the parents. Also because they want to look and act like the others.
Imitation and experimentation have been identified as ways by which teens and adolescents learn anti-social and criminal behaviour.
As children grow into teens, the symptoms of peer pressure become more problematic especially, where parental bonding is emotionally or otherwise lacking, or weak.
Moreso, when there are difficulties and challenges at home and teenagers desire to fit with their peers and be accepted by them. Depending on the strength of this desire, “teenagers” right-thinking may be beclouded or dislodged.”
In view of these traits, a teenager who is a part of a group that is involved in cultism, thieving, stealing, lying, drugs, examination malpractice or any of the vice of society, is most likely to participate in them.
According to Horton and Hunt, “all authorities agree that an individual’s need for acceptance within intimate groups is the most powerful lever for the use of group pressure towards group norms.
Peer pressure may produce in adolescents positive or negative results. When it produces negative results it implies that it is pressure not to conform to the norms of the society but to conform and be involved in criminal activity. This gives rise to non-conforming or criminally oriented individuals in society.
Peer pressure becomes the strongest influence on adolescents in terms of drug use, alcohol use, cigarette smoking, prostitution, involvement in cultist examination malpractice, violence and other criminal activities in secondary and tertiary institutions.
Peer group is a strong denominator among the determinants of juvenile delinquency and adulthood crime, it is obvious that it is a cardinal problematic phenomenon for society.
The youth of any society determines its futuristic and enduring structural and institutional developmental state.
Therefore, if serious focal discourse, research, planning and proper execution are not put in place to address the problem of the influence of negative peer pressure on teens and adolescents there is great danger to the continued existence of peaceful, orderly and progressive societies.
Felix Oladeji I. is a public analyst and a blogger. Writes via [email protected]