Family Life Education 6th Grade Coach Staup Coach Johnson Coach Cruz

Effective Refusal Skills to negative peer pressure Passive, Assertive and Aggressive Communication Effective Refusal Skills to negative peer pressure

Passive communication When a person does not communicate his/her… Feelings Ideas Opinions Ex: Not speaking up when something is wrong He/She has a hard time expressing concerns & makes apologies for what was said and/or done

Assertive Communication Expresses feelings in a way that is Honest Respectful Doesn’t harm others Ex: Respectfully speaking up when something is wrong

Aggressive Communication Disrespectful words and/or actions Name calling Put downs Sarcasms Interruptions Loud voice Intimidating Body Language Standing too close Glaring at the person Threatening hand movements

Body Language Body language is nonverbal communication 3 types of Body Language includes: The look on a persons face The action of someone's hands The way a person stands

Keys to assertive behavior If possible, know how you feel about the situation ahead of time. Avoid settings where peer pressure is likely to occur Practice body language consistent with the verbal message Remain relaxed and breath deeply

Keys to assertive behavior Be firm in your right to say “no” Use a clear and firm tone of voice Make eye contact when you state how you feel Repeat the word “no” until the person understands how you feel

Keys to assertive behavior Suggest an alternative Give a reason Clearly state your opinion or disagreement Avoid emotional terms Use “I” messages Ask questions to reverse the pressure Avoid using ‘put-downs’ Remove yourself from the situation if you feel uncomfortable

Peer Pressure Assertive refusal skills & Positive and negative peer pressure

What is Peer Pressure? The influence of a peer or group of peers encouraging a person to change his or her values, attitudes, or behaviors in order to conform to group norms. Can be positive or negative.

Positive & Negative peer pressure Eating from the salad bar instead of fast food Playing a sport outside after school instead of playing video games. Can you think of any others? Negative Using tobacco, alcohol or other drugs Engaging in sexual activity Bullying another student Can you think of any others?

3 Techniques of assertive refusal skills Everyone needs to have the tools to resist negative peer pressure. One method that has been shown to be effective is the three assertive techniques model. Say “no” firmly and keep repeating it. Take the offensive. Let the person know how the continued pressure makes you feel. Refuse to discuss the matter any further. Leave.

Sexual Harassment & Bullying Identify and learn how to use the resources in the family, school and community to report bullying and sexual harassment.

Bullying If bullying or sexual harassment occurs, it is important to get support and help from our friends, family, teachers, counselors and administrators. These situations are hurtful to the young person who experiences it and it is not something he/she has to keep going through. There are adults in your life that you can go to for help in getting the behaviors to stop.

Class discussion Does it surprise you that almost half of the middle school students say they have been bullied at school? Why or why not? Do you think the percentage of students who say they have been bullied at school is increasing or decreasing?

Sexual Harassment Law defines sexual harassment as: Any unwelcome behavior – of a sexual nature – that makes a person feel uncomfortable, fearful or powerless, and interferes with your school work. Sexual harassment can happen to anyone. It includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Sometimes it is gets confusing to understand the difference between flirting and sexual harassment. The key word in the definition of sexual harassment is ”unwelcome.”