A resident of Tema has recounted how his dislike for Mathematics and peer influence cost him his dream of becoming a medical practitioner.
Speaking in a conversation with Aaron Obimpeh of the AHOTOR NEWSROOM during a discussion on peer pressure, the young man, who described himself as once a bright and brilliant student of one of the prestigious Senior High Schools in Accra, said his academic decline began after he fell into a new circle of friends.
Mr. Twumasi also noted that, peer pressure rarely begins with a malicious intent but rather often disguises itself as a harmless fun, social bonding or an easy escape from academic pressure from such a difficult subject like mathematics.
According to him, it started with skipping just one Mathematics class under the influence of his friends to visit a drinking spot for refreshment. At the spot, he said he was urged to try their signature alcoholic combination, which he initially refused but later gave in to.
He disclosed that what began as skipping one class gradually became skipping school entirely, which turned into a habit.
As a result, his parents began to notice a decline in his academic performance and lost trust and confidence in him as their only child.
He added that friends and members of society also observed a change in his attitude and behavior, leading to a loss of investment, support and confidence in him.
The situation, he noted, eventually escalated to him dropping out of secondary school, thereby losing his childhood dream of becoming a medical practitioner.
Peer pressure, which was the focus of the conversation, is described as an indirect or direct influence exerted by a social group to encourage an individual to change their attitudes, values or behaviors to conform to the norms of the group or society.
In concluding the conversation, he cautioned the youth not to succumb to pressure from peers or individuals in society to change their values and norms to align with theirs.
He therefore made a final appeal to the youth and students across Ghana. Do not let a temporary struggle in a subject or desire to fit in destroy the future you have spent years building.
The friends who encourage you to compromise your values won’t be there to bear the pain when your dreams falls apart.
Stand firm and face your academic challenges and also guard your ambition with for everything you have.
Story; Aaron Obimpeh
@Ahotoronline.com
