Group Associations

Bull Fights Activity Each student will receive three clothespins. Object of the game is to clip your clothespins on the backs of the other players. You do not want to be pinned by anyone! The person with the least amount of pins on their backs wins!

Types of Groups What various types of groups are you associated with? – Sports: basketball, soccer, softball, bowling, dancing – Character building: Scouts, Job’s Daughters, DeMoLay – Service: Kiwanis, Rotary, Chamber of Commerce – Church: Church school, youth groups, church teams

Types of Groups What various types of groups are you associated with? – Causes or concern centered: environments, social issues – Neighbors: Neighborhood watches, neighborhood projects – Activity centered: chess, bridge, book review, hobbies

Benefits of Group Association G ives self-esteem R educes Stress O ffers opportunities for social and leadership skills U nderstands social expectations P rovides identity and emotional security S atisfies a sense of belonging and unity.

Peer Pressure Define Peer Pressure: Pressure or stress upon an individual to conform. Two types of Peer Pressure – Positive Peer Pressure – Negative Peer Pressure People conform: – Out of fear of being ridiculed or rejected. – Have a need to belong and be liked by others.

Who Influences You? Complete the “Who Influences You” worksheet. Discuss your answers. Where you surprised who really influences you?

What is a Gang? A group of people who form an allegiance to the exclusion of others, for a common purpose. Engage in violent, unlawful, or criminal behavior.

Peer Pressure Activity “Decide Early” Activity Find a partner and face each other. Object of the game – count the number of fingers on all four hands (your two hands and your partners two hands) First one to yell out the answer correctly wins!

Why Do Teens Join Gangs? Friendship A sense of belonging Identify Something to do Feeling of power Excitement Money Protection Pressure to join is so strong, teens feel they have no choice

Consequences With Gang Membership Incarceration Become wounded or killed Hurt or kill others Probably make little money Cause great family trauma, or lose all family ties Drop out of school, jeopardizing future Close off other opportunities for future options Substance abuse

Summary Being a member of a group brings a sense of belonging and can raise self-esteem. Do not succumb to negative peer pressure. Find groups to be apart of that strengthen your values, not go against them.