17 nov.

2023 13:14

Exposé d'anglais : " Moi même et mes pairs

"
Professeur : Mr N'dry Emmanuel

Participants :

_ Kouman Yao Frédéric

_ Yapi Yapi Ivan
_ Silué
_ Diallo Ousmane
_ Opi Armel
**The Term "Peers"**

To begin with, let's define the term "peers."

The term "peers" refers to those who hold the

same rank, who are equal in dignity and
social standing.

1. **INTRODUCTION**

Adolescence is the period of life between

childhood and adulthood, where individuals
construct their identity to find their place in
society. Adolescents often spend a
significant amount of time with their peer
group, which becomes the most influential
during this stage. While family and education
also play a role in identity construction, the
interactions among peers hold great
importance.

A pivotal stage in personal development,

adolescence is a time when much is at stake.
Exploring the impact of peers on young
individuals becomes crucial as they build
together and shape the adults of tomorrow.
What role and real influence do peers have in
the self-construction process of the youth?
How do they support each other in becoming
responsible citizens? And how can we guide
adolescents through potential peer pressure?

Adolescence, a phase of life

As a phase of human development,
adolescence is the transitional period
between childhood and adulthood, marked by
puberty and accompanying physical,
psychological, emotional, and relational
changes.
Feeling extremely vulnerable, adolescents
grapple with bidding farewell to childhood
and facing the uncertainties of existence.
They struggle with self-identity, react
sensitively, and often criticize the adult world.
Various elements contribute to this upheaval,
emphasizing the role of socialization agents
(family, school, and peer groups) in the
adolescent's quest for identity. The need for
detachment from the family sphere and
attachment to peers explains why the peer
group is the most influential during
adolescence.

2. **THE CONNECTION BETWEEN HUMANS

AND THEIR PEERS**

Long-term difficulties in peer relationships

are associated with various adaptation
problems in adolescence and early adulthood,
such as academic disengagement,
delinquency, and affective issues like
loneliness, depression, and anxiety.

3. **ACCORDING TO JUDITH RICH**

In 1994, American psychologist Judith Rich

Harris proposed a theory focusing on the peer
group's role in child development. She
challenges the notion that family education is
the primary determinant of adult personality.
According to her theory, human identity
construction is influenced by three sources:
genetics (50%), family (10%), and unexplained
factors (40%). Harris argues that these 40%
represent the influence of peers during
childhood and adolescence, as individuals
socialize with friends. This raises questions
about whether the peer group accounts for
this entire 40% and if there are other factors
as crucial, or even more so, than the peer
group.
4. **"US AND THEM"**

The human need to distinguish and

categorize begins in childhood. Early
categories are based on visible parameters
such as gender, social or geographical origin,
clothing, etc. Consequently, individuals
develop a sense of belonging to a group and
defend its members. Is the peer group an
arena for experimenting with solidarity,
sharing, and support?

Throughout life, categories may change

(urban vs. rural dwellers, sports fans, political
parties, etc.). How do conflicts of interest
between different belonging groups,
specifically between the "family" group and
the peer group, get managed?
5. **SELF-CATEGORIZATION**

Group categorization vis-a-vis others creates

a clear separation and brings together
members of the same group. In school,
students may categorize themselves as
students and teachers.

This self-categorization has a powerful effect

in classrooms, with teachers being the only
adults. The teacher may avoid making this
category too prominent to prevent students
from aligning against it. The most salient
categorization among students will likely be
the distinction between boys and girls, even
though friendships can form between
individuals of both sexes from childhood and
persist into adolescence. The challenges for
individuals outside the traditional boy/girl
categorization are apparent.
In reality, as Harris notes, most boys don't
dislike all girls, and vice versa. However, in
school, whether in class or during recess, the
most salient category is "boy/girl." This
sexual categorization continues to influence
pre-adolescents, who hold firm views on how
to behave toward the opposite sex.

Behaviors can be influenced by group

membership. For example, an adolescent
who gets along well with a neighbor might
choose not to sit next to her in class to be
with male peers.

6.**THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PEER

GROUP**
Being among themselves
One of the primary benefits of the group is
fulfilling the need for belonging, grouping
together based on interests and friendships.

A group dynamic develops, fostering mutual

understanding, the establishment of rituals
and languages, and the sharing of common
rules. Can the peer group be considered a
micro-society?

Finding attachment figures and filling

emotional gaps
Adolescents draw closer to their peers and
choose attachment figures, not in an
asymmetric logic but in one of reciprocity.
While distancing themselves from parents,
adolescents seek connections with their
peers.
Belonging to the group helps build strong
alliances. Adolescents may transfer
ambivalent feelings from the family sphere to
the group: pride, comfort, compassion,
security, jealousy, resentment, fragility, etc.
For some, friends become the siblings they
never had.

7. **CONCLUSION**

Interactions with peers constitute one of the

significant ways children learn gender roles
and develop behaviors and attitudes typical
of their gender. When children spend time
together, they become more alike.