UNDER PRESSURE

Peer pressure is a societal situation when your friends persuade you to do something you're not desirous of doing or don't have the valor to do. One of the major problems of peer pressure occurs when you are towed into something you didn't really want to do but due to certain circumstances - become dependent on. It might be positive, but most of the occasions end up with an adolescent smoking a Marlboro cigarette during school break.

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The adolescent suddenly finds himself in a situation of being constantly tested and evaluated not by adults, not by official authorities, but by his peers. He has to prove that he is trustworthy, courageous and not subject to parental dictates. Therefore, the adolescent may find himself doing things he doesn't like, merely in order to be respected by his peers.
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The adolescent may study less than he used to since hanging with friends has become more significant to him. He may skip classes at school in order to avoid a test. He may begin smoking or drinking beer in alehouses even though he can't bear the taste of the cigarette or the beer but won't admit it. He may even be tempted to use drugs. This behavior may be disastrous, and the adolescent may wake up from the dream when it is too late.
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You probably wonder what is the best way to combat peer pressure. Well, all you have to do is arm yourself with wisdom and some decision making skills and remember once and for all - knowing who to listen to and who to avoid is the biggest step in struggling unwelcome negative peer pressure!

Excellent work, Michal. I enjoyed it very much. (95)

Daphna.

Dear Daphna,

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Pardon me for not fulfilling my entire commitment to prepare the seventh writing assignment on time! I wouldn't lie to you by telling you stories that my computer had collapsed, but I want you to know that I didn't mean to disdain this assignment! I deeply apologize and I hope you would accept my sincere apology.
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Michal :(

No need for such an apology. I know you. This could happen to anyone, including me. So, keep up your great work and don't feel too bad about it.

Daphna.

MQueen's Advice Column

25/1/2009

Dear Janet,

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As a fifteen-year-old teenager, I am more than familiar with your problem. I've myself encountered that kind of quandary - I had to choose between my passion to prosperity in school and assisting my friends. I was torn between these two difficult decisions until I decided to take action and do something for my own sake.

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On the one hand, due to the moral principles you feel proud to hold, you consider swindling during the test something which is corrupt and beyond your powers! This is the reason why you're not thrilled to help your friends by allowing them to copy from you. On the other hand, you love being surrounded by society, which is something you won't waive with ease. You know that unless you help them, they will cease their connection with you! You must agree with me that being committed to both school and society make the decision even harder!

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Why not talk to your friends and tell them that you won't tolerate this situation anymore? They may not understand your furious reaction at first, but I believe that eventually they will realize that they were mistaken.

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I suggest you talk to them as quickly as possible! The conversation may not be genial, but I'm certain that you will come to terms and put this matter aside. When I was in a similar situation, I didn't hesitate and talked to my friends. Thanks to that conversation, things got better and better and so did my grades!

Sincerely yours,

Michelle

Very good work! (100)
Daphna.

FEAR NOT! BE STRONG!

FEAR NOT! BE STRONG!

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My name is Michal and I am a fifteen-year-old student, studying at the Kugel High School in Holon. I would like to demonstrate my undoubtable support in Israel's warfare against the nefarious terrorist organization, Hamas.

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In this very moment, myriads of Israeli soldiers are walking through the narrow paths of the Gaza strip, examining each and every Palestinian house in a demanding struggle against Hamas. I support our government's decision of attacking Hamas mainly because Israel has finally woken up. Citizens in the southern part of Israel live already the eighth year under the voices of the Red Color system. This is the routine innocent children in my age are accustomed to - hearing the Red Color and immediately finding a good shelther! Is that rightful? Is this a thing called JUSTICE? Negotiation with the Hamas terrorists is bootless! We mustn't hesitate to use force unless those monsters understand what we have to offer for them in words!

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To sum up, I believe the war against Hamas is more than essential! We don't fight innocent Palestinian women and children - we fight a phenomenon called TERRORISM!