Peer Pressure

8th Grade HealthMr. De Oliveira

What is Peer Pressure?• Pressure from one’s peers to behave in a

manner similar or acceptable to them.• Peer pressure is the influence of a social

group, or an individual.• When others try to influence how you act,

or try to get you to do something you normally wouldn’t you are experiencing peer pressure.

Peer Pressure Continued….

• You and your friends make dozens of decisions every day, and you influence each other's choices and behaviors.

– What are some decisions you and your friends make everyday?

– How do you influence the behavior of your friends and peers?

PEER PRESSURE CAN BE EITHER POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE DEPENDING UPON THE SITUATION.

Things We Get Pressured Into

Fashion ChoicesAlcohol and Drug Use

Decision to have a boyfriend or girlfriend

Choice of friendsAcademic Performance

Sports

Who influences you most in these peer pressure situations?

Why Do Kids Give Into Peer Pressure?

• Some kids give in to peer pressure because they want to be liked, to fit in, or because they worry that other kids may make fun of them if they don't go along with the group.

• Others may go along because they are curious to try something new that others are doing. The idea that "everyone's doing it" may influence some kids to leave their better judgment, or their common sense behind.

Types of Peer Pressure

• Directly –– You may experience peer pressure as

someone telling you what you should be doing.

– It may be a good idea to talk to someone you trust if you feel threatened, are being hurt or being pressured into something you do not want to do.

What are some examples of people you can talk to about peer pressure?

Types of Peer Pressure• Indirectly –

– Peer pressure may not always be obvious to you.

– It is not uncommon for a group of friends to have particular habits or activities that they do together.

– It may be that when you are with a different group of friends you are unlikely to do those things.

– Example: you may only smoke or drink with a particular group of friends.

Types of Peer Pressure• Individual –

– Sometimes the pressure comes from you.– Feeling different from the group may be

hard. To avoid this, sometimes we do things to make sure we feel like the rest of the group.

– Moving to a new area or starting high school may be scary. Often it means having to make new friends and fit into a new environment.

– When we are feeling unsure about ourselves we may be more likely to feel the effects of peer pressure.

GOOD PEER PRESSURE– Good peer pressure is being pushed into

something that you didn’t have the courage to do, or something that just didn’t cross your mind.

– Good peer pressure can also be a situation when your friends convince you not to do something you were going to do because it wasn’t in your best interest.

– Good peer pressure is when you get pushed into something that you didn’t want to do and it turned out well.

How can you Benefit from Good Peer Pressure?

• You may learn something new and have a new experience.

• You can overcome a fear.

• You can gain friendships, encouragement and good advice.

Benefits of Good Peer Pressure?

• You can avoid getting in trouble.– Breaking the law– Getting into trouble with your parents– Hurting your health

• What are some examples of good peer pressure?

Bad Peer Pressure

• Bad peer pressure is being talked into doing something that you didn’t want to do because your peers said you should.

• It is usually the result of wanting to become accepted by your peers.

– What are some bad peer pressure situations?

Symptoms You Will Experience During Bad Peer

PressureRecognize these signs

If you feel a bit scared, how does your body tell you?

• Your legs feel shaky.• Your mouth feels dry.

• Your tummy feels full of 'butterflies' or your feel sick.

• Your heart beats faster.• Your head feels hot - or cold.

How Can Bad Peer Pressure Affect You?

• Bad or negative peer pressure usually leads to negative situations such as drinking alcohol, experimenting with drugs, smoking or sexual situations.

• It can lead to trouble with the law, your parents and your overall health.

How can you Respond to Bad Peer Pressure?

• The key to dealing with negative peer pressure is self confidence.

• Be yourself, make your own decisions, regardless of what others think.

• Listen to your gut instinct – its probably right!

• Learn to feel comfortable and confident saying NO!!!

• Surround yourself with people who have similar values as you.

Responding to Bad Peer Pressure

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help!– If you are in an awkward peer pressure

situation seek help from a family member, teacher, health care professional or someone you feel comfortable talking to.

Ultimately, You Make the Decision!!!

• Stop and think. – Ask yourself some questions.– Could this be trouble? Will it break the

law? Will it break the school or home rules?

– Will people in authority be angry with me or disappointed?

– Will someone be hurt - their body or their feelings?

– Will I be safe? – Do I feel good about this?• Assess the situation - think about

what is happening.

STOP, THINK AND GO!!!Red = Stop!

Yellow = Think!Green = GO!!!

Decision Making and Goal Setting

8th Grade HealthDe Oliveira

What are some Decisions you have made in the last

week?• As you grow older you gain more

freedom and more responsibilities.– Do you have more freedom now than

you did two years ago?– Do you have more responsibilities now

than you did two years ago?

• Decisions you make now will have both short term and long term effects or consequences.

Making Responsible Decisions

• Decisions are made everyday.– Small decisions – what to eat for

breakfast, what to wear to school, deciding to wear a seat belt or not.

– Some choices may seem small but may affect you for a lifetime.

What are some decisions you make everyday?

Decision Making Process

• No matter if the decision is a big or small one you still want to make the best decision possible for you!

• There are six steps through the decision making process.– 1.) State the situation – identify the

situation what choice do you need to make?*who else is involved?*what are the facts?

– 2.) List the Options – make a list of your options, ask others for suggestions.

– 3.) Weigh the Possible Outcomes – consider the possible outcomes or consequences of each option. (H.E.L.P formula).• H – Healthful – will my choice affect my well-

being or the well-being of those around me?• E – Ethical – will my choice show respect for

myself and other people?• L – Legal – will I be breaking the law? Is it

legal for someone my age?• P – Parent Approval – would my parents

approve of my decision?

– 4.) Consider Values – when making any decision consider your values and beliefs that guide you to the way you live. •Honesty•Friendship•Respecting yourself and others

– 5.) Make a decision and Act – once you have weighed your options and considered the risks and consequences you are ready to make your decision. •Decisions should be made based upon YOUR values.

•If you second guess your decision reconsider it. Ask someone close to you for help.

– 6.) Evaluate your Decision – after you make your decision evaluate it! •Were you pleased with the results?

•Did things turn out the way you expected?

•Did your decision effect others?•How did your decision make you feel about yourself?

SETTING REALISTIC GOALS!

• Goal setting – the process of working toward something you want to accomplish.

• Achieving goals can be very rewarding. • Realistic goals are goals you can reach.

GOAL SETTING HELPS YOU IDENTIFY WHAT YOU WANT OUT

OF LIFE!

TYPES OF GOALS• Long term goals – are those you plan

to achieve within a longer period of time

• Months, years– Getting into college– Training for a marathon

• Short term goals – goals you plan to accomplish in a short period of time.

• Hours, days, or weeks. – Doing well on a test– Writing an email to a friend

HOW ARE THE TWO TYPES OF GOALS RELATED?

GOAL SETTING PROCESS• STEP 1 – IDENTIFY A SPECIFIC GOAL AND WRITE

IT DOWN.

• STEP 2 – LIST THE STEPS YOU WILL TAKE TO REACH YOUR GOAL.

• STEP 3 – GET HELP AND SUPPORT FROM OTHERS.

• STEP 4 – IDENTIFY AND OVERCOME OBSTACLES.

• STEP 5 – EVALUATE YOUR PROGRESS.

• STEP 6 – GIVE YOURSELF A REWARD.

QUESTIONS

• 1.) What are values?

• 2.) What are the steps of the decision making process?

• 3.) What are the benefits of using the goal setting process?

• 4.) Do you think peer pressure can effect your decision making skills?