THE EDITOR ,Sir:
MOST TIMES when we think of peer pressure we think of teenagers, but some teenagers come under undue pressure from adults who are incapable of dealing with pressure from their own peers. Some of these adults force their sons and daughters into educational institutions and careers for which these persons neither have the interest nor aptitude. More often than not these students have the wrong attitude and create disciplinary problems in these institutions.
What has this got to do with peer pressure, one may ask. What drives some parents to register their children in some educational institutions is the need to have a good answer to give those who ask the usual question: What is your daughter or son doing now? Or for those who have peers who boast about the achievements of their children, they need to be able to boast as well.
This is not to suggest that there is anything wrong with parents enjoying the achievements of their children and encouraging them to achieve their highest potential. However, there is everything wrong with forcing our children into educational institutions and careers for which our children lack the interest and aptitude, as a response to adult peer pressure.
Children have enough pressure from their own peers; adults should learn to deal with pressure from their own peers without putting their children under undue pressure.
I am, etc.,
WINNIE ANDERSON-
BROWN
winab@cwjamaica.com
Bagatelle District
Ashley P.A.
Clarendon
