INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Educational activities are geared
towards ensuring that students achieve mastery of educational objectives. In
school , the extent to which these objectives have been achieved, is determined
by their level of peer pressure, time management as students’ success are
reflected in their academic performance. Peers play a large role in the social
and emotional development of adolescents Allen (2005). Their influence begins
at an early age and increases through the teenage years, it is natural, healthy
and important for adolescent to have and rely on friends as they grow and
mature. A peer could be any one you look up to in behaviour or someone who you
would think is equal to your age or ability Hardcastle, (2002). On the other
hand, the term “pressure” implies the process that influence people to do
something that they might not otherwise choose to do.
According to Hartney, (2011),
peer pressure refers to the influences that peers can have on each other. Peer
pressure is emotional or mental forces from people belonging to the same social
group (such as age, grade or status) to act or behave in a manner similar to
themselves Weinfied (2010).
Jones, (2010) defined peer
pressure as the ability of people from the same social rank or age to influence
another of same age bracket, peer pressure is usually associated with teens
although its influence is not confined to teenagers alone.
Mature adults, teens, young
adults and children can be seen doing things in order to be accepted by their
peers. Peer pressure is commonly associated with episodes of adolescent risk
taking (such as delinquency, drug abuse, sexual behaviours), because these
behaviour commonly occur in the company of peers. It can also have positive
effects when youth are pressured by the peer toward positive behaviour.
However, peers can also have a
negative influence. They can encourage each other to skip classes, steal,
cheat, use of drugs or alcohol, or become involve in other risky behaviours.
Majority of adolescents with substance abuse problems began using drug or
alcohol as a result of peer pressure. Negative peer pressure may influence in
various ways like joining group who drink alcohol, smoke cigarette and Indian
hemp among others. It may also lead to the decision to have a boy friend/girl
friend. Peer pressure indulges youth
into loitering about in the streets, watching films and attending parties
during school hours, taping as alternative to stealing which may eventually
graduate into armed robbery.
Arief, (2011), peer pressure may
be present in the workplace, at school or within the society, it can affect
people of all ages. It may affect people in different ways but here, the focus
is on peer pressure as it influences academic performance of in-school.
Peer pressure may have a positive
influence and help to challenge or motivate one to do best.
Peer pressure may also result in one doing thing that may not fit with ones
sense of what is right or wrong. In other words, when peer pressure makes one
do things that people frown at, it is a negative peer pressure. Operationally
peer pressure is a force exert by people that is influenced by ideas, values
and behaviour either positively or negatively and always associated with
adolescents. Study has shown that many popular students who do not manage their
time well make lower grades than less socially accepted adolescent Hartney, (1990).
This is possibly due to the fact that popular students may spend more time
worrying about their social life rather than studying.
Time management has to do with
planning and scheduling activities, organizing tasks in a prioritized order and
allocating time to the tasks according to their order of importance and helping
one achieve desired objectives Achunine, (1995). Time management is the ability
to manage and control time. (Lakein, 2003). The use of planners, calendars and
the like are effective tools in managing time. Time management is the art of
arranging, organizing, scheduling and budgeting one’s time for the purpose of
generating more effective work and productivity. Lakein, (2003). Time
management is important for everyone, while time management books and seminars
often focus on business leaders and corporations, time management is also
crucial for students, teachers, professionals and home makers.
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