Putting a Positive Spin on Peer Pressure

Even now, I can still recall times when I was so desperate to be more like my peers. I was putting myself in uncomfortable situations just so that I could feel accepted by them. Back then, I did not realise how peer pressure was affecting me, but it was affecting me in a number of ways – low mood, tearfulness, changes in behaviour, just to name a few. Brainstorm itWrite the following questions as column headers on the board. In the spirit of the subject (peer pressure), make it clear that all answers are acceptable – students are not allowed to laugh or make negative responses to others’ answers.

Encourage them to let loose and be as creative as possible. You can also encourage positive peer pressure through team building activities where teammates have to encourage each other. If children are unprepared for responding to peer pressure, they are more likely to react too quickly and give in.

Follow the Leader

If you’re looking for ideas to help you teach your child the social skills to handle peer pressure, consider sharing these seven methods with them. Understanding how peer pressure works can go a long way toward preventing its negative effects. The research paper ideas in this lesson will help your students https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-long-does-alcohol-stay-in-your-system-blood-and-urine/ understand this important topic better. Peer pressure occurs when peers influence you to change your attitudes, decisions, behaviors or beliefs. Explore the effects, examples, statistics and signs of peer pressure. We tend to hear more about the potentially negative effects of peer pressure.

  • She has extensive experience creating & teaching curricula in college level education, history, English, business and marketing.
  • Remember, as a parent you have more influence than you think!
  • He attracts the attention of one or two popular kids, who then give them «the look,» which involves a disapproving glance up and down, an eye roll, or a subtle head shake.
  • The secret to ending negative peer pressure is to develop new ways for pupils to comprehend the effects of giving in.
  • With indirect peer pressure, no one is singling you out, but the environment you’re in may influence you to do something.

Explain that students are to read each statement, and then check whether the statement is true or false for them. Point out that when they have finished, they are to look back over the statements and circle ones that they think are difficult for teenagers to live by. The teacher announces that there will be a math test as one child enters the room. He is told by friends not to worry since they have him covered with the «cheat sheet.» The first child hesitates and displays worry about lying and being discovered.

The MP3 Player

The following activities and games can be varied depending on age range. Now aged 20, I am still learning how to manage pressure from my peers. I wanted to share some of the lessons I have learnt along the way, hoping that you might use these tips if you ever feel this way yourself. If you are a young person who has experienced peer pressure, you are certainly not alone. From my own experience, I have seen how peer pressure affects people at school, college, university and beyond into adult life. When it comes to pressures around alcohol and other drug use, something else to think about is that most students overestimate how many of their peers drink or use drugs.

  • If the class’ attitude is really bad, you can start by introducing such material in individual exercises and slowly moving to others for the entire class.
  • Remind kids to take a minute before reacting to peer pressure.
  • Have students reflect on a time when they felt peer pressure to do something that conflicted with their values.
  • This set of classroom activities can help young people explore what peer pressure might look like.
  • Getting children to understand the importance of individuality is challenging, particularly when their comfort lies in conformity.

If the kids do not agree with how the peer pressure situation was resolved, ask them what they think would be a better solution. The desire to fit in and feel like you are part of a group is normal, and most people feel this way sometimes, especially in the teen and young adult years. Peer pressure, that feeling that you have to do something to fit in, be accepted, or be respected, can be tough to deal with. Dealing with this pressure can be challenging, but it’s important to reflect on your own personal values and preferences and make decisions based on those rather than on peer pressure. Role playing is an effective way of getting the message across without having to explain much. This activity can be performed by dividing your students into equal numbers of groups and presenting to them, several possible situations that involve peer pressure.

How Extracurricular Activities Unlock Student Success

This lesson gives you some ideas that will help you cope with this complicated issue. Teens who volunteer in their community can keep each other motivated to participate. This involvement can lead to exposure to role models and eventually lead to the teens becoming positive role models themselves. Peer pressure is the process by which members of the same social group influence other members to do things that they may be resistant to, or might not otherwise choose to do. Peers are people who are part of the same social group, so the term «peer pressure» refers to the influence that peers can have on each other.

I found that researchers have broadly discussed the problem and it has been an issue for some time. Many specialists agree that the best weapon to fight peer pressure would be self-confidence. When the student believes in his convictions and is sure about his personality and appearance, they don’t seem to suffer the pressure in such a significant way. Teenagers are normally the most loud, fast-talking and energetic people, but as students, especially of a foreign language, you may find they magically become silent and unmotivated. What happened to this creature that was so eloquently discussing something with friends 5 minutes ago?

As children mature, the importance of friendships amongst peers can become significant. Some children can find themselves facing pressure from their peers to act a certain way or to do things they may not feel comfortable doing. The easy which of the following is a type of indirect peer pressure? solution would be to lock our children in a closet and keep them sheltered from outside sources. But that would mean no television, radio, computer, or tablets… no friends or extended family… no trips to the store (or even church).

  • Their influence begins at an early age and increases through the teenage years.
  • Ask a participant to choose one of five cups that is hiding a reward from the group of five cups.
  • If there are other children… or even other adults around your kids… there is an invisible pressure to be like the rest of the world pushing against your child.
  • The other kids can express their thoughts about the students and their excellent phones.
  • Visit K12.com to learn more about online learning and whether it might be right for your student.

To explain more about the difference between things that are in the world, use the paper plate and confetti stars. The important thing is to recognize what the Bible says about peer pressure. You can use it to teach that violence is never the answer. If they pressure you to do shots with them at the bar when you aren’t drinking, for example, you might suggest that you both hit the dance floor instead. Or maybe, you make a plan to go on a hike or to the movies the next time you hang out. That way, you’re fulfilling both of your needs in a mutually beneficial way.

Put a Positive Spin on Peer Pressure

Recommend ways for them to get out of a situation that they feel uneasy about with thoughtful responses. They may be able to suggest alternatives to avoid the inappropriate behavior. For example, if asked to skip school, your child may suggest instead getting together directly after school and including more friends. Sometimes it will be best for the child to avoid explaining and justifying their refusal to participate as that can lead to more pressure and arguing.

activities that teach how to deal with peer pressure