Chapter 6: Family and Peer Relationships Family Living Mrs. Karen Swope Columbian High School

Who needs a friend? Everyone needs a friend. Friends help you grow. Friends help you learn. Relationships you develop between peers and family are very important. Skills for developing personal relationships can be learned and practiced.

Types of Friendships: Acquaintances: people you know but who aren’t your close friends. Good friends or mutual friends: people you see often. There is mutual sharing taking place. Some degree of trust exists. Close friends: you know them well, may be considered a best friend, high degree of trust involved.

What is a friend? What qualities do you look for? Understanding, accepting Open and honest Makes you feel good about yourself Trustworthy Has a sense of humor

Why do you need friends? Friends can help you know and understand your own thoughts and feelings. Friends can help you accept yourself and boost your self-esteem. Friends can help you develop empathy. You can become more sensitive to the feelings of others.

Needs friends cont.: Friends can help increase your communication skills. Friends can help you learn to work together. Friends can provide companionship. Friends can help you prepare for future long-term relationships.

How do you develop a close friendship? Be friendly, interact with other people. Develop rapport: create an atmosphere that is comfortable for both people. Share yourself: your personal thoughts, feelings, opinions. Build trust: develop honesty and reliability between each other.

Develop a close friend cont.: Respond with empathy, be sensitive to other’s needs and feelings. Be open to growth: become aware of blind spots ( factors you didn’t know about yourself that your friend can point out with out fear of rejection).

PEER RELATIONSHIPS Peer Pressure: having a strong influence on same age group of people. In order to belong to a certain peer group you may have to conform to certain standards of appearance, dress, behavior, and beliefs.

Negative Peer Pressure Pressuring you to do something you don’t want to do or don’t believe in. Could be harmful to your health or well being. Some will give in just to be accepted. Close friendships are hindered by negative peer pressure.

Handling Negative Peer Pressure Passive: the person goes along with whatever is said or done. This does not help handle negative peer pressure. Aggressive: includes yelling, name calling, pushing, hitting and other violent behavior. Creates more problems. Assertive: let peers know what you think and feel using good communication skills. Do not let other take advantage.

Handling Bullying Bullying is using aggressive behavior to intentionally harm another. Bullies are not concerned with the well-being of others. Use assertive behaviors and responses. Talk to an adult about the problem.

Types of Bullying Physical bullying: punching, hitting, hair pulling. Emotional bullying: rejecting, humiliating, blackmailing, isolating, manipulating. Sexual bullying: exhibitionism, sexual harassment, sexual abuse. Verbal bullying: name-calling, teasing, gossip, spreading rumors.

Cyberbullying Using technology to send hurtful or threatening messages to another. Spreading lies, rumors via e-mails, texting. Pretending to be someone else online. Posting pictures without the subject’s permission.

Bullying Silence while someone is being hurt is unacceptable. Aggressive behavior at any time destroys relationships. Seek help from a trusted adult.

Parent-Teen Conflicts Teens are growing to maturity, seeking independence. Teens are forming their own strong opinions. They are emotionally separating from their parents. Parents may not recognize their teen as maturing or capable of independence. Parents may want to maintain control over their teen.

Solutions: Negotiate solutions to the conflict. Show a positive attitude. Show respect and concern for each others thoughts, desires, opinions. Have family meetings. Plan one on one time between parent and teen.

Summary Friendships often develop between people with common interest; often they are peers. Close friends help people grow on many levels. Family is an important source of close relationships. Good relationship skills can be learned and can influence many aspects of our lives.