Peer groups serve many functions for an adolescent. Peers can provide entertainment in the form of fun and socializing. Acceptance by a group helps to bolster self-esteem and confidence. A particular role or responsibility in a group, club or sports team can help shape adolescents identity and self-image.

One of the most important functions of peer groups is to provide information and comparison. An adolescent can learn a tremendous amount about the world outside the family. "From the peer group, adolescents receive feedback about their

Another peer function, one with long-term effects, is the influence on social development and adult relationships. Peer relationships give an adolescent the foundation for all future ones. Theorists John Piaget and Harry Stack Sullivan stressed that it is through these interactions that children learn symmetrical reciprocity. Peers must relate to each other in a reciprocal manner that involves behavior that is mutually acceptable. Adolescents learn to assert themselves while accepting others, they have influence over each other. They learn the complexities of relationships such as how to support friends while being supported, to observe others to smoothly enter existing conversations and to resolve disagreements. A sense of fairness and justice is created from these relationships. Adolescents who gain self-confidence and learn to navigate complex social structures by interacting with peers take these skills in

Some common words found in the essay are:
, Stack Sullivan, adolescents learn, influence social, social development, peer adolescents, stantrock p196, peer relationships,
Approximate Word count = 620
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)