Vocabulary

1. Hormone (n)
/ˈhɔːrmoʊn/ :a chemical produced in a living thing that affects growth, development, and behavior
Ex: Some hormones affect our mood

2. Rackless (adj)
/ˈrekləs/ :acting or done with a lack of caution; careless or irresponsible
Ex: How could you have been so reckless to drink and drive?

3. Temperamental (adj)
/ˌtɛmp(ə)rəˈmɛnt(ə)l/ :suddenly becoming happy, sad, angry, etc.
Ex: My boss is very temperamental; he can be very hard to work with sometimes!

4. Exasperating (adj)
/ɪɡˈzæspəreɪtɪŋ/ :very irritating or annoying
Ex: I love my children, but they can be quite exasperating at times

5. Vandalize (verb)
/ˈvand(ə)lʌɪz/ :to purposefully destroy or damage something, especially something that belongs to the public
Ex: The police think that a group of teenagers are responsible for vandalizing a number of mailboxes in the town.

6. Destructive (adj)
/dɪˈstrəktɪv/ :causing significant damage or harm
Ex: It was one of the most destructive earthquakes in history.



Reading


Adolescence is an extremely difficult time of life. A vicious assault of hormones frequently provokes temperamental, destructive, reckless, and exasperating behaviors. Teenagers need to cope with a tremendous amount of pressures, and often struggle to get their bearings. Generation gaps are enormous at this point in life, and getting accustomed to one’s surroundings can appear impossible at times.

Peer pressure is a social pressure in which one is urged or encouraged to behave in a particular way by one's peers. Pretty much everyone has to deal with peer pressure at some stage in life.

The destructive effects of peer pressure can be particularly catastrophic in teenagers. Peer groups sometimes promulgate and endorse all sorts of negative and violent behavior. Behaviors commonly associated with peer pressure include:

  • Drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes
  • Drug use
  • Vandalizing or stealing property
  • Skipping classes

Studies have shown that affiliation with friends who engage in such behaviors is a strong predictor of an adolescent's own behavior. However, while peer pressure is most commonly associated with negative influences, it can also have positive impacts. If one becomes friends with a group of "good" kids, they are then statistically less likely to engage in negative behaviors themselves.


1. According to the article, what do hormones frequently provoke in adolescents?

2. What behaviors are commonly associated with peer pressure?

3. Is peer pressure negative or positive?

Discussion

1.Do you carefully choose your friends? Why?

2.Have you experienced peer pressure? Elaborate.

3.How would you handle peer pressure?

4. Can you think of any possible solutions to combat peer pressure?

5.How is peer pressure different in countries around the world?

6.Why do you think young people are often victims of peer pressure?