In recent times, we blame peer pressure for crimes our youths engage in but the fact remains that people have the right to choose what influences them.
If peer pressure can make people indulge in crimes like money laundering, ritual killing, stealing, fraudulent activities, etc while is it difficult for the same peer pressure to force people into learning skills like programming, graphic designing, cryptocurrency, etc?
We all have a powerful weapon given to us by God that sets us apart from other creatures. Other creatures are moved by instincts but man has the will to choose his actions. Just as there are people who are successful through illegal activities, there are also people who have made it to the top through decent means. We only have to choose what we want for ourselves. The challenge is that following decent means to success appears tedious compared to illegal means, and most times people want to make it faster. That's where the mistake lies.
So when people indulge in crime, it is right we understand that it is their choice and not necessarily peer pressure. There may be an impact of peer pressure but the final call is on the individual. I remember what my parents used to tell us at home. It goes like this, " my children, whatever you do out there, remember the principles and values of the home where you come from, remember that your actions may not only tarnish the image of the family but can be a stumbling block for the family".
One thing some people fail to understand is the fact that we do not need to please anyone at the expense of losing our principles and values. We need to hold I to our beliefs because it is what stands us out.
In the end, there is a positive and negative peer pressure effect, we only have to choose what we want. If we choose to do evil, it is never because of the pressure effect alone, it is because we willed to do so.