Teenagers and their peers

Everybody needs friends because no man is an island. When you are still young, your friends can easily have more influence over how you dress, act and think than your parents do. However, the question is who should be your friend? And, to what extent should your life be molded by their opinions? A big percentage of most teenagers’ lives is mostly determined and influenced by their peer’s opinions and their ways of living—whether good or bad. One of the most successful businessmen in USA, Steve Jobs - the cofounder, chairman and CEO of Apple Inc, said that when he was still a teenager most of his life’s decision were made by his friends and that their opinions were the ones that determined his way life by then. But after some time he realized that their influence was not really significant to his desired development hence giving his friends opinions little attention concerning his life. This is very common among teenagers that allow their friends’ opinions to set their way of life. It’s good to have friends but you need to think critically about the friends you need in your life. The friends you associate with determine whether you are on the right direction. Sit down and analyze whether those friends are shaping you positively like helping you discover your purpose in life; or if they are encouraging you to achieve your desired goal; or lastly if they are strengthening you in your progress in life. One popular proverb states, “A friend loves at all times and becomes a brother in difficult times.” However, there is more to friendship than merely having a shoulder to cry. One of my friends put it this way, “Sometimes your so-called friends will set you into trouble and then abandon you!” This is true sometimes. Nevertheless, when a real friend sees you going astray, they will try to warn you before it’s too late even when you may not like it. In addition, let’s admit that many people do not like being told they are wrong even if it is for their own good. In conclusion, a friend who is not afraid to correct you no matter how hostile the reception might be is the kind of friend that you should have as a friend. dennistony8@yahoo.com