Lesson 2

Peer Pressure and Refusal Skills

Peer Pressure

Influence that people your age may have on you

Can have positive and negative influences on your actions and behaviors

Positive Peer Pressure

Inspire you to try a new activity Encourage you to participate in community

projects Not participating in risky behaviors

Negative Peer Pressure Pressure can exist to take part in behaviors or accept beliefs with

negative consequences Harassment-persistently annoying others (name-calling, teasing,

bullying) Manipulation-indirect, dishonest way to control or influence

people Making threats Blackmail Mocking or teasing Guilt trips Bargaining Flattery Bribing

Resisting Negative Peer Pressure

Peer pressure does not stop after teen years Your response to the pressure may affect

your health Associate with friends who share your beliefs Friends should be supportive and stand by

and respect your decision

Assertive Refusal

3 step process 1) state your position 2) suggest alternatives 3) stand your ground

Passive and Aggressive Responses Passive communicators are unwilling or unable to express their

thoughts and feelings in a direct or firm manner This type of response the person believes to be easier Can be viewed as a pushover Aggressive responses are forceful, pushy or hostile. May involve yelling, shouting, shoving, or other types of verbal or

physical force Assertive communication is the most affective way to deal with

peer pressure It shows that you will stand up for your rights, beliefs and needs

but you respect yourself and those around you