ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with peer pressure in schools which require a sustained and coordinated approach from leaders and teachers. Many teachers need specialist support and guidance to give them greater confidence when navigating gender matters and the role of peer pressure. The term peer pressure is used to describe the negative influence that young people can have on each other, implying that the mere presence of similar aged groups of boys will change their “natural” behaviour. Researchers such as Paul Willis, Wayne Martino, and Jeffrey Smith have made clear the link between peer pressure and attitudes towards school and learning. Further research has looked more specifically at the effects of peer pressure on gender conformity. Studies have shown that girls tend to influence their female peers indirectly, using gossip as a roundabout way of challenging perceived unacceptable peer group behaviour.
