Question

Sociology:

Imagine that you are a reader of a newspaper that has a section that allows ‘letters to the editor.’ (This is where readers are able to write and submit a short article arguing for some point of view). Three such hypothetical letters are below. Imagine that you are writing a response to these letters. Write a response in which you use your social psychology knowledge to argue against the letter writer.

(1) I am writing to discuss the recent incident in which 12 teenagers were caught smoking marijuana at a party. These kids seem to be blaming it on everything but themselves: ‘Peer pressure’ is their latest excuse – as if other people could cause people to engage in illegal activities! I am appalled at this behavior – these kids should be thrown in jail to be taught a lesson. This just confirms my beliefs that teenagers are nothing but trouble. Why can’t people behave like moral human beings? What has happened to personal responsibility in this country? I’ve never been in trouble with the law (other than one time I was caught speeding – but that was different – I was late for a very important meeting and I had no choice!). This generation simply doesn’t care about what’s right or wrong anymore. -Marie Lamont

Answer 1

Dear Marie Lamont

I’m writing this in response to your post. One of the most important crisis that everyone, especially every teenager faces is peer pressure. Most of the bad habits such as smoking, drinking and drugs are introduced by their friends which is very true. Teenage is a stage which struggles to understand what’s right and what’s wrong thus trying everything and learn by doing and making mistakes. First of all, the government should be able to keep the drugs under control because it is the availability of something that causes one to pursue it. Secondly, most of the adults do it and children and teenagers learn from them and it has to be stopped. Thirdly, just because they smoke weeds doesn’t mean that they are bad because everyone who crossed teenage might have done lots of silly things until we understood certain things are not good. Finally, the best thing to do is to talk to the teenagers in a friendly manner and explain them what will happen if they do it.