LET63 Under Pressure resized
HEALTH
LEVEL 4
HPE4.C3
MANAGING SELF & RELATING TO OTHERS
under pressure Peer pressure can be both positive and negative Our peers are the people who are of a similar age to ourselves. Pressure is a force that is put on something. So ‘peer pressure’ is the force that is put on someone by people who are about the same age. There are lots of reasons why people put pressure on others. It could be pressure to: • join in • do something • give something • agree with a particular point • go somewhere of view People are often influenced by their peers because they want to fit in, be like them, do what others are doing, or have what others have. It is important to remember that peer pressure can be a positive or a negative influence. Take a look at these two examples. • Someone wants to try out for the soccer team and wants their friend to try out too. • Someone wants to start a fight and is pressuring their friend to be part of it. Explain why one of the above examples is positive and the other is negative. Peers often set good examples for one another. Having peers around you who are determined to do well in a range of activities can influence you to be more goal driven. Even peers you have never met can be a good influence: just watching someone your age doing something amazing might inspire you to go after a dream of your own. Think of some examples of when peer pressure can have a positive influence.
EXPLORE & CONNECT! Peer pressure - good or bad? 1. When friends are in a group they can all of a sudden act tough and cool. Why do you think they act like this? 2. What are some things friends in a group might do that they wouldn’t do on their own? 3. Think of some examples of when peer pressure can be a negative influence on the decisions we make. When peers pressure people into doing things they are really uncomfortable with, this can cause a lot of stress. It takes courage to stand up to peer pressure. • Listen to your gut instincts • Use your WITS (walk away, ignore bad suggestions, talk it out, speak up) • Plan ahead for possible pressure situations and rehearse what you’d say • Arrange a bail-out code with your parents • Learn to feel comfortable saying “No” • Hang out with people who feel the same way you do • Blame your parents People who stand up to negative peer pressure are a great influence on their peers who may feel the same way. It often just takes one person to speak out and change a situation.
For more great activities, visit www.lifeeducation.org.nz
LEVEL 4
HPE4.C3
MANAGING SELF & RELATING TO OTHERS
under pressure Peer pressure can be both positive and negative Our peers are the people who are of a similar age to ourselves. Pressure is a force that is put on something. So ‘peer pressure’ is the force that is put on someone by people who are about the same age. There are lots of reasons why people put pressure on others. It could be pressure to: • join in • do something • give something • agree with a particular point • go somewhere of view People are often influenced by their peers because they want to fit in, be like them, do what others are doing, or have what others have. It is important to remember that peer pressure can be a positive or a negative influence. Take a look at these two examples. • Someone wants to try out for the soccer team and wants their friend to try out too. • Someone wants to start a fight and is pressuring their friend to be part of it. Explain why one of the above examples is positive and the other is negative. Peers often set good examples for one another. Having peers around you who are determined to do well in a range of activities can influence you to be more goal driven. Even peers you have never met can be a good influence: just watching someone your age doing something amazing might inspire you to go after a dream of your own. Think of some examples of when peer pressure can have a positive influence.
EXPLORE & CONNECT! Peer pressure - good or bad? 1. When friends are in a group they can all of a sudden act tough and cool. Why do you think they act like this? 2. What are some things friends in a group might do that they wouldn’t do on their own? 3. Think of some examples of when peer pressure can be a negative influence on the decisions we make. When peers pressure people into doing things they are really uncomfortable with, this can cause a lot of stress. It takes courage to stand up to peer pressure. • Listen to your gut instincts • Use your WITS (walk away, ignore bad suggestions, talk it out, speak up) • Plan ahead for possible pressure situations and rehearse what you’d say • Arrange a bail-out code with your parents • Learn to feel comfortable saying “No” • Hang out with people who feel the same way you do • Blame your parents People who stand up to negative peer pressure are a great influence on their peers who may feel the same way. It often just takes one person to speak out and change a situation.
For more great activities, visit www.lifeeducation.org.nz
