Dealing with Peer Pressure Building Relationship Skills

Key Concepts Compare and contrast negative and positive peer pressure Identify 3 ways you can respond to negative peer pressure Key Concepts

Recognizing Peer Pressure Peer- person of the same age group Clothes you wear, places you go, and activities you choose are often influenced by your peers Can affect the way you act and the things you say Peer pressure- pressure you feel to do what others your age are doing Recognizing Peer Pressure

Positive Peer Pressure Positive peer pressure is what you feel when people your age encourage you to do something worthwhile Positive peer pressure supports your values and beliefs, and it almost always results in positive consequences for everyone involved Positive Peer Pressure

Role model- a person you admire and learn behavior and attitudes from Influences your thinking by providing you with an example to imitate Athletes, musicians, actors, and other celebrities are role models to many, but family members and friends can also be role models Good role models are a positive influence on those whose lives they touch Inspire you to work harder, think about your future, and develop beneficial behaviors Role Models

Role models can also serve as good examples of what not to do A teen whose role models do not use tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs may be positively influenced to follow their lead Role Models

Negative Peer Pressure When you hear someone say everybody’s doing it, how do you feel? This is just one of the phrases people say when they are using negative peer pressure Negative peer pressure- what you feel when your peers try to persuade you to do something you do not feel is right, or something that has negative consequences People who use negative peer pressure often know that what they are pressuring others to do is wrong Convincing friends to join them fills their own needs, not the needs of their friends, and makes them feel important and in control Negative Peer Pressure

Manipulation- a dishonest way to control or influence someone People who manipulate others aim to get what they want, regardless of the consequences To get others to do what they want they: Challenge your courage Appeal to your desire to belong Flattery Appeal to guild Threaten or coerce Manipulation

How do you feel when people try to manipulate you into doing things that are wrong? Watch out for so-called friends who constantly push you to prove yourself by doing things you feel are wrong True friends will not pressure you to do something you do not want to do Manipulation

Bullies pick on others as a way to gain power, to get their way, or to feel important Can be gossiping, constant teasing, or physical violence When bullies use these tactics to get others to do what they want, they are using negative peer pressure You do not have to let bullying get the best of you Sometimes appearing confident and telling the bully to stop is enough to make a bully back down Other times, ignoring the bully makes the pressure go away Whenever bullying gets out of hand, tell an adult Do not fight back-this only satisfies a bully and can make the harassment worse Bullies

Gang- group of people who associate with one another because they have something in common and are looking for acceptance Many gangs are involved in illegal activities, and use negative peer pressure to convince others in their group to go along with it There are many alternatives to joining a gang If you are harassed by gang members, seek help Gangs

Responding to Negative Peer Pressure Passive response Giving in to peer pressure and backing down instead of standing up for your needs and wants May often be viewed as a pushover who is not worthy of respect Aggressive response Hostile responses that violate rights of others People either tend to avoid those who are aggressive or jump in and fight back Responding to Negative Peer Pressure

Responding to Negative Peer Pressure Assertive response Stand up for your rights in firm but positive ways Directly and honestly state thoughts and feelings Show that you mean what you say Most people respect others who show the courage to be true to themselves Responding to Negative Peer Pressure

Know what you want- identify specific actions or behaviors that need to be changed or put into action Prepare yourself Speak with conviction- positively state exactly what you want and do not apologize or weaken your message Keep your body “on message”- stand up straight and use eye contact Refuse to be interrupted Compromise- decide in advance what compromises would be satisfactory Stand Up for Yourself

Developing Refusal Skills What if a friend tries to convince you to do something you do not want to do or that goes against your values? Learning refusal skills can help Refusal skill- basic communication skill you can use to say no effectively Say no and mean it Offer alternatives Take action Developing Refusal Skills

Developing Confidence Doing what you believe is right can be especially hard when peers pressure you to make certain decisions When you are struggling with peer pressure, remember that it is your life, not someone else’s Developing Confidence

Review Peer pressure is always negative. False People who always go along with the group, no matter what, are viewed as cool and easy going. Friends can still be positive role models if they drink alcohol or use drugs. Review

Review A person you admire and learn behavior from is called what? Role model What is it called when a good friend encourages you to do something healthy or worthwhile? Positive peer pressure Why would someone manipulate another person? To get what he/she wants Review

Review What are possible responses to negative peer pressure? Passive response Aggressive response Assertive response A(n) _________ is a person of the same age group. Peer A dishonest way to control or influence another person is called _______________. Manipulation Review

When a manipulator tries to make you feel as if he is counting on you to do something, he is using ______________. Guilt A group of people who associate together for acceptance is called a(n) _________. Gang The pressure you feel to do what others your age are doing is called __________ . Peer pressure Review

Speaking with _________ means politely stating exactly what you want without apologizing. Conviction Responding to peer pressure in a firm but positive way is called a(n) ________ . Assertive response A(n)__________ is a hostile response to peer pressure that violates the rights of others. Aggressive response Review