The influence that people of similar age or status place on others to behave in a certain way is called peer pressure. Peer pressure can be either positive or negative, and it can be exerted consciously or unconsciously. Sometimes all you need is to see that someone in your class has bought the latest athletic shoes, and you feel driven to own the same kind of shoes.

Positive peer pressure is influence from peers to behave in a responsible way. Negative peer pressure is influence from peers to behave in a way that is not responsible. Negative peer pressure involves pressure to risk your health and safety, break laws, show disrespect for yourself and others, disobey your family, and show lack of character. Ten Negative Peer Pressure Statements The following are some “lines” you may have heard. • No one will ever know. • What’s the big deal? It won’t kill you. • I do it all the time and have never been caught or hurt! • We’ll go down together if anything happens. • Everybody else is doing it. • You’ll look older and more mature. • Try it! You’ll really like it. • You only live once. • Don’t be such a wimp. • Don’t be a chicken.

STUDENTS’ ACTIVITIES: Write something about it! Peer pressure statements: Write responses or examples of what you could say for each of the ten negative peer pressure statements being studied. Group project! Create a campaign to encourage positive peer pressure. You can create one of the following media for your campaign: multimedia presentations, advertisements/commercials or pamphlets. The campaign can address the benefits of positive peer pressure of the consequences of negative peer pressure. You can use humor to communicate your message.

PEER PRESSURE cont. Positive peer pressure motivates you to try new activities that can benefit all sides of your health: physical, mental and social. Negative peer pressure motivates you to take part in behaviors or accept beliefs that have negative consequences. Ways of exerting negative peer pressure: harassment, persistent annoying others, manipulation (an indirect, dishonest way to control or influence others. )

Common methods of manipulation: 1. Mocking or teasing another person in mean or hurtful ways 2. Using “guilt trips” to get desired results 3. Bargaining-offering to make a deal to get what one wants 4. Using flattery or praise to influence another person 5. Bribing-promising money or favors if the person will do what is asked 6. Making threats-promising violence or some other negative consequence if the person does not do what is asked 7. Using blackmail-threatening to reveal some embarrassing or damaging information if the person does not do what is asked

ACTIVITY: Write something about it ACTIVITY: Write something about it! Write examples of situation that shows each form of manipulation.

Resisting Negative Peer Pressure Peer pressure doesn’t stop at the end of the teen years. Through-out your life, you may experience many instances in which peers, including friends and coworkers, make requests or demands of you. In some cases, your responses to these requests or demands will directly affect your health or at times there may be instances in which your response to peer pressure could seriously impact your life.

Refusal skills: are techniques and strategies that help you say no effectively when faced with something that you don’t want to do or that goes against your values. Effective refusal skills involve a three-step process: state your position “say no”, suggest alternatives, and stand your ground. 1. Assertive refusal: means standing up for your rights in a firm but positive way. 2. Passive refusal: people will have a tendency to give up, give in, or back down without standing up for their own rights and needs. Teens who respond passively to peer pressure may believe they are making friends by going along. 3. Aggressive refusal: people are overly forceful, pushy, hostile, or otherwise attacking in their approach. An aggressive way of resisting peer pressure may involve yelling, shouting, shoving or insulting others or the use of other kinds of verbal or physical force.

ASSESSMENT: Presentation will be on 8th of December, 2011 (Thursday) Suggested scenes: 1. The use of drugs, cigarettes and alcohol 2. Skipping classes to go to the mall or hang out somewhere 3. Cheating during exams or any formal testing 4. Lying to parents to be able to go clubbing or somewhere you aren’t allowed. Role play the given scenario. For each scenario, one group provides a passive refusal, an aggressive refusal and an assertive refusal. After groups have responded to several scenarios, discuss the effectiveness of each refusal skills.