Your Friendships and Peer Pressure

OBJECTIVES Explain why friends are important Identify the characteristics of a good friendship. Recognize ways of keeping friendships strong. Apply decision-making skills to resist peer pressure.

WHO IS A FRIEND? > Friends are usually people who live near you OR who like the same things you do. > Friends also usually have similar values. > Some people have only one close friend, while others have several. > Friends are people you spend lots of time with and know very well. > Friends make you and your life better.

WHAT IS A FRIENDSHIP? A Friendship is a relationship with someone you know, trust and regard with affection. Strong friendships are a building block for social health. Strong friendships take time to develop

THE BENEFITS OF FRIENDSHIP Friends teach you to communicate, work out problems and compromise. You learn to give others support and consider others feelings. Let’s you share your life, the good and the bad with people you know well.

TRAITS OF A GOOD FRIEND Most friendships have the following qualities: TRUST: Good friendships are based on honesty. CARING: Friends accept you as you are. They will listen and try to understand how you feel.

Traits of a Good Friend…..Continued RESPECT: Good friends respect each other’s differences and treat each other as equals. They won’t ask you to do anything That could hurt you OR put you in danger. LOYALTY: True friends support each other and forgive mistakes.

Do you have a healthy friendship??? Friendships become unhealthy when one of the friends becomes controlling or abusive.

Warning Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship WHEN A FRIEND: Gets angry when you want to include other friends. Starts damaging rumors about you. Only calls you when they want something from you. Invites everyone from your group to a social activity except you. Makes degrading comments about how you look or dress.

Building Friendships Some people make friends easily, while others find it more difficult. Making friends can be easier when you join groups who share interests similar to you. Check out a sports team or a club. You are more likely to meet people who share your interests when you spend time doing activities that you like.

Peers and Peer Pressure PEERS: People close to you in age who are a lot like you. PEER PRESSURE: The influence that your peer group has on you. PEER PRESSURE CAN BE POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE.

Knowing When to Compromise Does being friends with someone guarantee that you will never have a disagreement? What do you do when this happens? In most cases you choose to protect your friendship by working out your differences.

What is Compromise? Compromise is when both sides in a conflict agree to give up something in order to reach a solution. You should, however, NEVER compromise when you have to act against your values or when you might end up harming yourself or others.

Negative Peer Pressure Friends should never pressure you to do something that is unhealthy or unsafe, OR goes against your family’s values. Friends should not pressure you to use tobacco, alcohol or other drugs. TRUE FRIENDS WILL RESPECT YOUR CHOICES.

Resisting Negative Peer Pressure Avoid the situation Walk away Use assertive responses-This is a response that declares your position strongly and confidently. Focus on the issue-If your friends make fun of you don’t defend yourself or trade insults…..focus on why you are saying no. Make responsible decisions by using the S.T.O.P. Formula.

Positive Peer Pressure Your friends give positive peer pressure when they: Suggest you do the right thing. Encourage you to study more. Advise you to work on a group project, join the science club or become a volunteer. POSITIVE PEER PRESSURE CAN IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY AND HELP YOU FEEL BETTER ABOUT YOURSELF.

CLOSING ACTIVITY-Dealing with Peer Pressure 1. READ THROUGH THE DECISION-MAKING ACTIVITY 6-4 AS A CLASS. IN GROUPS YOU WILL APPLY THE SIX STEPS OF THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS TO COME UP WITH A BETTER DECISION FOR NICK. DISCUSS NICK’S OPTIONS, WHAT YOUR GROUPS CHOICE WOULD BE, AND BE PREPARED TO EXPLAIN YOUR DECISION. YOUR GROUP WILL NEED TO HAVE A RECORDER AND A REPRESENTATIVE TO PRESENT YOUR GROUPS PLAN. IT CANNOT BE THE SAME PERSON THAT PRESENTED LAST TIME.