Peer Pressure:

= the pressure that you feel to do what others your age (individuals or groups) are doing.

An example of POSITIVE peer pressure:

= role models (e.g. people who get good grades, have good study habits, volunteer in the community)

An example of NEGATIVE peer pressure:

= gangs (e.g. groups that may be involved in bullying, theft, vandalism, etc.)

Three (3) most common methods used to pressure peers are:

  • Appeal to your courage

e.g.       “What are you chicken?”

  • Appeal to your desire to be accepted (or fit “in”)

e.g.       “Only the cool people are going!”

  • Appeal to your guilt

e.g.       “You’re the only one I/we can count on to do this for me/us.”

FIVE (5) WAYS TO SAY “NO” TO PEER PRESSURE

  • BROKEN RECORD:

–     repeat the same reason over and over again until they give up or stop asking you.

  • DIVERSION:

–     suggest positive/productive alternatives to the activity you do not want to do.

  • “I”-MESSAGES:

–     explain that you feel pressured and that you want the person to stop (uses a formula).

  • HUMOUR:

–     diffuse a tense situation with a joke.

  • AVOIDANCE:

–     if all else fails walk away

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