Peer Pressure

Is peer pressure always negative? Is peer pressure always negative? Brainstorm ways that peer pressure can be positive… Brainstorm ways that peer pressure can be positive… Do you allow yourself to be influenced by others in positive or negative ways? Do you allow yourself to be influenced by others in positive or negative ways?

Positive vs. Negative Peer Pressure Positive peer pressure – influence by peers to act in a responsible way Positive peer pressure – influence by peers to act in a responsible way Negative peer pressure – influence by peers to behave in a way that is not responsible Negative peer pressure – influence by peers to behave in a way that is not responsible

Negative Peer Pressure Statements No one will ever know No one will ever know What’s the big deal? It won’t kill you What’s the big deal? It won’t kill you I do it all the time and have never been caught or hurt… I do it all the time and have never been caught or hurt… We’ll go down together if anything happens. We’ll go down together if anything happens. Everyone else is doing it. Everyone else is doing it. You’ll look older and more mature. You’ll look older and more mature. Try it, you’ll really like it!! Try it, you’ll really like it!! You only live once You only live once Don’t be such a wimp. Don’t be such a wimp. Don’t be a chicken Don’t be a chicken “You won’t” “You won’t” “NO BALLS” “NO BALLS”

Consequence of Negative Peer Pressure Harm Health Harm Health How can peer pressure harm your health? How can peer pressure harm your health? Giving into peer pressure can cause you to jeopardize your health…How? Giving into peer pressure can cause you to jeopardize your health…How? Threaten your safety Threaten your safety Getting into a car with a drunk driver Getting into a car with a drunk driver Getting into a car with someone who is on drugs Getting into a car with someone who is on drugs Cause you to break laws Cause you to break laws

Consequence of Negative Peer Pressure Cause you to show disrespect for yourself and others Cause you to show disrespect for yourself and others Cause you to disappoint people Cause you to disappoint people Cause you to feel disappointed in yourself Cause you to feel disappointed in yourself Cause you to feel resentment towards peers Cause you to feel resentment towards peers Harm your self-confidence Harm your self-confidence Cause you to feel guilty and ashamed Cause you to feel guilty and ashamed

Peer Pressure

Self Confidence and Assertiveness Self Confidence – a belief in oneself. Self Confidence – a belief in oneself. When you are self confident you believe in your ideas, feelings and decisions. When you are self confident you believe in your ideas, feelings and decisions. Assertive Behavior – You clearly state your decision and do not back down Assertive Behavior – You clearly state your decision and do not back down Passive Behavior – Holding back of ideas, feelings and decisions. Passive Behavior – Holding back of ideas, feelings and decisions. Passive people do not stand up for themselves Passive people do not stand up for themselves Aggressive Behavior – The use of words or actions that are disrespectful towards others Aggressive Behavior – The use of words or actions that are disrespectful towards others

Resistance Skills Skills to help a person say no… Skills to help a person say no… 1. Say no with self confidence 1. Say no with self confidence 2. Give reasons for saying no 2. Give reasons for saying no 3. Repeat your “No” response several times 3. Repeat your “No” response several times 4. Use non verbal behaviors to match verbal 4. Use non verbal behaviors to match verbal 5. Avoid situations which there will be pressure to make wrong decisions 5. Avoid situations which there will be pressure to make wrong decisions 6. Avoid people who make wrong decisions 6. Avoid people who make wrong decisions 7. Resist pressure to engage in illegal behaviors 7. Resist pressure to engage in illegal behaviors 8. Influence others to make responsible decisions 8. Influence others to make responsible decisions

Friendly Refusals Complete the worksheet for friendly refusals. Complete the worksheet for friendly refusals. Remember to follow the directions Remember to follow the directions