Introducing Types of Peer Relationships Friendships Casual Close

Introducing…

Types of Peer Relationships § Friendships Casual -Close -Platonic -

Characteristics of a good friendship l Support each other emotionally l Reinforce your values l Loyal l Encourage each other/motivate you l Respect l Shared interests and beliefs l Active listening: paying close attention to what someone is saying and communicating.

Casual Friendships l Casual friends are peers with whom you feel socially connected. *(These friendships, however, do not fill some of the deeper needs humans have. ) l Classmates l Teammates l Friends of friends

Close Friendships l A close friend is more likely to share with you what he or she is really feeling and thinking and, in turn, make you feel comfortable doing the same. You may trust a close friend with your secrets or go to this person when you are hurting, confused, or in trouble. He or she might give you honest criticism and provide encouragement.

Platonic Relationships l A platonic friendship is a relationship with a member of the opposite gender in which there is affection, but are not considered a couple. l Affection: a gentle feeling of fondness or liking. Example: "she felt affection for the wise old lady" synonyms: fondness, love, liking, tenderness, warmth, devotion, endearment, care, caring, attachment, friendship; warm feelings

Cliques l A clique is a small, narrow circle of friends, usually with similar backgrounds or tastes, that excludes people they view as outsiders.

Negative Impacts of Cliques l They provide a sense of belonging l Clique members may treat non-members with disrespect. l Being part of a clique can be damaging because members are often discouraged from thinking and acting as individuals. l You might be pressured to do things that go against your values. l They may discourage independent thinking

l Clique members may also be missing out on the benefits of meeting and interacting with a variety of people, which is important to an individual’s social health. l The beliefs and actions of cliques are prejudicial l Rejecting others based on superficial differences is damaging and can be damaging to clique members in the long run.

Peer Pressure in Relationships l Peer Pressure- The control and influence people your age may have over you l Negative Peer Influence l Manipulation l Positive Peer Pressure

Types of Manipulation l Mocking or teasing the person in mean or hurtful ways. l Bargaining, or offering to make a deal to get what one wants. l Bribing, or promising money or favors if the person will do what another asks of him or her. l Using guilt trips to get desired results

l Making threats, or using words that show a person intends to use violence or some other negative means to get his or her way. l Using blackmail, or threatening to reveal some damaging information if the person does not conform. l Using flattery or undeserved praise to influence another person.

Things that Teens are Pressured into Doing

1. Having Sex 5. Violence 2. Taking Drugs 6. Dieting 3. Drinking Alcohol 7. Sneaking Out 4. Stealing 8. Conforming To A Group

Top Reasons Teens Choose to Drink http: //www. grltlk. org/images/why_chooseto_graph. jpg

Ways to Respond to Negative Peer Pressure l “The Passive Way”- Giving up, giving in, or backing down without standing up for your own rights and needs. l “The Aggressive Way”- Overly forceful, pushy, hostile, or otherwise attacking in approach. l “The Assertive Way”- Standing up for your own rights, in firm but positive ways.

Assertive Refusal (Best way to combat negative peer pressure!) l State your position simply but firmly. (All you need to say is “No, I don’t want to. ” Then give an honest reason why you don’t want to participate. l Suggest alternatives to the behavior being proposed. l Back up your words with actions. (Use strong body language and maintain eye contact. )

Positive Peer Influence l The positive peer pressure includes an atmosphere that helps develop social skills and an environment that allows the person to feel safe by surrounding him/herself with people who share similar attributes and interests. l Positive peer pressure is a being encouraged to do something that will be beneficial to ones self and/ or others.

Ways to Encourage Positive Peer Influences l Doing community service l Establishing good eating habits l Obeying school and parents’ rules l Getting to know people outside of your usual group of friends l Respecting others’ decisions

Priorities l Those goals, tasks, and activities that you judge to be more important than others.

Dating Relationships l Benefits of Dating include: l It teaches interpersonal skills l It helps substitute other types of relationships (i. e. family, close friendships), therefore, eliminating their importance. l It aids in recognition of your strengths and weaknesses

Infatuation Vs. Affection l Infatuation- an exaggerated feelings of passion for another person l Affection- a feeling of fondness for a person

Activities Do’s and Do Not’s l Athletic activities l Avoid places where alcohol l Community activities and other drugs are present l Avoid being alone l Volunteer together

Set Limits l Set rules for what you believe is acceptable for dates l Be affirmative to those rules l Parents may also set rules for dates as well l Curfew l Place to go

Why violence occurs l To deal with conflicts l Need to control others l Way of expressing anger l Prejudice l Retaliation l Assailant: a person who commits a violent act against another.

Sexual violence l Any form of unwanted sexual conduct directed at an individual, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape. l Assault: an unlawful attack on a person with the intent to harm or kill. l Rape: any form of sexual intercourse that takes place against a person’s will.