Importance to Society A peer group includes members who share the same/similar interests, social positions and usually have a great influence on the socialization of group members. Peer groups can also serve as a platform to teach members about gender roles Adolescent peer groups provide support to children and adolescents as they immerse themselves in adult society This decreases their dependence on parents which increases self-sufficiency Peer groups have a important influence on psychological and social adjustments for individuals in the groupDemographic influencesThe influence of peer groups typically peaks during adolescenceAdolescence and late childhood are when children/adolescents are most vulnerable and malleable. Peer groups usually form during school and in places without adult supervision. Target population: children/adolescents at school/during extracurricular activities and when children/adolescents are not at home. Peer group socialization affects both males and females equally Same-race peer groups: Young people form groups based on similarities, similarities include race; this encourages prejudiced ideals. Cross-Racial Peer Groups: More diverse schools and environments foster cross-racial peer groups; this reduces prejudice and promotes prosocial behavior Primary or Secondary Peer groups focus primarily on secondary socialization Family members, neighbors, etc. focus on primary socialization Peer groups allow children or adolescents to have freedom beyond the supervision of their parents These groups also allow children to share interests and activities that they would not share with their parents, with people of their age, clothing, popular music, etc. Problems with peer groups Bullying is the main problem among peer groups today... middle of paper... with more confidence in extremes such as drug abuse or crime. Many adolescents turn to peer groups to define their values ​​and are attracted to the message of acceptance and potential life directions they offer. Changes in peer group socialization over the years In the last century, adolescents are increasingly influenced by their peers regarding clothing, musical trends and substance abuse. Youth concerns may center on popular music and movies, sports, sex, or illegal activities. This has become more prevalent from the late 1990s to today. There has been an increase in peer pressure to engage in underage drinking, smoking, and drug abuse. Social norms have also changed the ideals of teenage sexuality and sex. For 100 years, sex before marriage was looked down upon. to strict religious beliefs but has now become more common and more widely accepted