What Is Peer Pressure?

Peer Pressure is when a person or group of people, who are your peers, try to convince you to behave or act in a certain way.

Who Are My Peers?

Your peers are the people who are similar in age or background to you.

Examples:

• classmates;
• teammates;
• neighbours that are similar �to you in age;
• siblings/family members �that are similar to you in age.

Two Types of Peer Pressure

Positive

Positive peer pressure is when a peer, or a group of your peers, try to convince you to do the right thing or something good/helpful.

Negative

Negative peer pressure is when a peer, or a group of your peers, try to convince you to do the wrong thing or something bad/hurtful.

Positive or Negative?

Your friend realises that he’s forgotten to do his homework before class begins.�

He asks if he can quickly copy down your answers before you go in to class. You’re hesitant but he tells you that if you are a good friend, you will help him out.

Is this positive or negative peer pressure?

What makes you think that?

Positive or Negative?

You and your friends are riding your bikes to the park. You see an elderly neighbour unloading shopping from her car. Your friends suggest that you all go and help her. You don't really want to because you would rather go to the park but your friends tell you it will be quick and say, “Come on!”.

Is this positive or negative peer pressure?

What makes you think that?

Positive or Negative?

You and your twin sister are visiting your grandma. At her house, you accidentally knock over a vase and it shatters. You want to hide it but your sister tells you that you need to be honest and tell your grandma. You are scared but your sister says she will go with you and help explain what happened. She says you will feel a lot better if you just tell the truth.

Is this positive or negative peer pressure?

What makes you think that?

Positive or Negative?

Your mum leaves you and your cousin, who is a year older than you, at home while she goes to the shop. Your cousin wants to watch a TV show that your mum does not allow you to watch. When you tell your cousin that you’re not allowed to watch it, he calls you a baby and tells you that if you were cool you would watch the show. He also says your mum will never know.

Is this positive or negative peer pressure?

What makes you think that?

Can You Think of Another Example?

Can you think of another example

of negative peer pressure?

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Can you think of another example

of positive peer pressure?

Coping with Negative Peer Pressure

When you are faced with difficult choices, it’s important that you are confident in standing up for what you think is right, even if other people don’t agree.

To be confident in doing this, you should:

Say ‘no’ and mean it. This is often the hardest thing to do so try practising it when you can.

Speak to an adult, older sibling or older friend about what is happening and ask them for advice.

Never be afraid of choosing to behave differently to others. If they are your friends, they will respect you for the decisions you make.

Never stop doing the things you enjoy because of others. Even if it’s difficult, be persistent and don’t give in to others.

Keep people who are respectful, kind and supportive close to you as friends. Often, when one person doesn’t want to do something, those around them will feel the same. If you have the confidence to say ‘no’, they will choose to do the same.

Should You Say Yes or No?

A group of boys are in a shop buying some sweets. They tell you to give them your money or they will tell the shop owner you stole some chocolate bars.

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Should you do what they say or should you say ‘no’?

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Should You Say Yes or No?

Your best friend tells you that they haven’t completed their homework. They ask whether they should lie and say they have forgotten it or be honest and say they haven’t done it.

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Should you say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to telling a lie?

Should You Say Yes or No?

You are in the playground at school. One of the girls in your class tells you that they are planning on going to the park after school. You don’t have a phone and your parents/carers are expecting you to go straight home from school. She says all the other girls are going and that she won’t be friends with you if you don’t go.

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Should you do what she says, or should you say ‘no’?

What Happens When You Say Yes or No?

Think about the example in which the girl said she wouldn’t be friends with you, if you didn’t go to the park.

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If you say ‘yes’, what could happen?

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• You would go to the park and she might or might not have been kind to you.

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• You would make your parents/carers worry about where you are.

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• You would lose the trust that your parents/carers give you to walk home from school on your own.

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• Your parents/carers would be upset and disappointed.

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• You may have to stay in, lose privileges or lose pocket money as a consequence.

What Happens When You Say Yes or No?

If you say ‘no’, what could happen?

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• Your parents/carers would be proud of you for doing the right thing and coming home on time.

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• You would be trusted with independence again.

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• The girl might fall out with you and may be difficult with you the following day at school.

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• Some of the other girls may not be friendly to you.

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• However, most of your friends would probably make the right decision and go home as well.

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• Those friends would treat you the same as they always have and may even respect you more for being able to say ‘no’.

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• You would feel proud of the choice you made and feel empowered to make the same choice again in the future.

What Advice Might An Adult Give You?

Be happy with the choices that you make.

Be confident enough to say ‘no’ and mean it.

Don’t feel forced to do something you don’t want to do or don’t agree with.

Surround yourself with positive people who are like you.

Think about the consequences before you decide to do something.

If you need help, ask an adult.

Be proud of yourself when you say ‘no’.

Be yourself - you don’t need to change to be accepted by others.