Peer pressure

1. Peer pressure

2. Let’s Define it • Peer pressure is the influence or pressure from a person or a group of people who are similar in age to behave in a certain way • Peer pressure can either be positive or negative

3. Positive Peer Pressure • This type of peer pressure • Encourages one to do something that is constructive that results in a good outcome • Helps to build self-confidence in the one being pressured • Prevents one from doing something that would result in a harmful or destructive outcome

4. Examples of Positive Peer Pressure • Encouraging a friend to participate in a school sport or activity that he or she has never done and is nervous about • Pressuring a friend to stop treating others with disrespect • Influencing a friend to make good choices such as refusing to drink, smoke, or do drugs

5. Negative Peer Pressure • This type of peer pressure • Involves pressuring someone to do something that is destructive or bad for them • Usually includes doing something that your “gut” tells you not to do • Results in making the person who is being pressured feel bad about the choice they made and, as a result, bad about themselves

6. Examples of Negative Peer Pressure • Telling a friend that you won’t be friends with them because they are friends with someone who you do not like • Pressuring someone to skip school • Pressuring a friend to drink, smoke, or do drugs

7. Tips for handling negative peer pressure • Be confident in yourself and know that it is okay to say “No” • Consider the consequences or the outcome of what someone is pressuring you to do • Listen to what you gut is telling you • Hang out with people who are similar to you who have the same values as you do • Make decisions based upon what is best for you regardless of what others are telling you to do • Enlist the help of an adult if you are in a situation involving peer pressure that you are unsure about

8. Any Questions?