I remember blogging back in junior high, but I never thought I'd be back to blogging in college! Well, let me start by saying that this blog is mainly for an English class I am taking at Texas A&M University. This class focuses on Rhetorics of Violence and its Alternatives, which gives us students an outstanding field of ideas to discuss. I chose to concentrate on violence tied in with the peer pressure many have us have faced in this society from schools, workplace, and other public facilities.
This could be very broad, but it is also very important because we can all relate to it. We can all note an instance in life where we have been put in uncomfortable positions from our friends and family that has led to mischievous behavior. For example, many children have grown up playing Truth or Dare, an infamous game that has been familiar to all. When picking dare, our peers throw out requests to do outrageous things that could take that person out of their comfort zone, and lead them to emotional/physical abuse towards another or oneself.
This is just a small degree, but what about the pressure we face in college? When turning 21, the first thing we think of is taking 21 shots and getting completely wasted. Our society has forced these rules on us that can lead to violent effects afterward. A person simply celebrating their birthday could end up fighting with their friends that night, throwing up, driving home drunk, and possibly putting everyone at risk in that car by getting in a severe accident.
I mainly want to focus on how the environment and people around us have shaped our behaviors that somehow tend to involve us in acts of violence. It's vital that we recognize our own actions while looking out for others! :)
Sara,
ReplyDeleteI am really glad that you are taking the time blog about this topic. Just like mine, Violence of "Beauty" and its Consequences, it is very alive in the world that we live in which makes it very important to talk about it and to educate others about its consequences. I look forward to reading more on your blog, and good luck!
I think that this topic is very relevant to the world we live in today. We all feel this unyielding pressure to meet the standards laid down by those around us. Even those people whom consider themselves against the norm sometimes strive to fit in among other people whom claim to be above the influence of peer pressure. I hope that your blog can show people how to recognize where peer pressure comes into play so that they can recognize it more readily and perhaps prevent themselves from being swayed into violent behavior on the account of someone else's ideas. I feel like this related to my blog in that I am examining how music effects people and may influence them to behave with violent tendencies. I am happy to see that you are of the opinion that we are all accountable for our own individual actions.
ReplyDeleteSara,
ReplyDeleteI think you chose a great topic that absolutely everyone can relate to. Everyone, especially teenagers, feel the need to fit in with their peers. Like you said, sometimes when wanting to fit in, you do things out of character. Most of the time peer pressure is a bad thing, but it could also sometimes be a good thing, because it may make you want to try new things and you end up finding out you like them. I am looking forward to reading your blog!