Peer Pressure and Refusal Skills Have you experienced

Peer Pressure and Refusal Skills

Have you experienced “peer pressure? ” � Explain a time where you felt pressured to do something you did not want to do. What was causing this pressure?

Peer Pressure � Main Idea: Peers can influence how you think, feel, and act. � Peer Pressure – The influence that people your age may have on you. � Peer pressure can be both positive and negative.

Resisting Negative Peer Pressure � Main Idea: Practicing refusal skills will help you deal with negative peer pressure. � Refusal Skill – a strategy to avoid doing something you don’t want to do.

Types of Refusal Skills Scenario: Your friends want you to go to a party where alcohol will be served and you don’t want to go. Refusal Skill Sample Response Say, “no thanks. ” � Say no, and mean it. � Keep saying no. “No, thanks. I’m not interested. ” “NO, I don’t want to go. ” “How many times do I need to say no? Stop bugging me. ” � Blame someone else. “My parents would ground me. ” � Give a reason. “No, thanks, I don’t drink. ” � Make an excuse. “No, I can’t go, my parents are going out and I have to watch my little brother. ” � Suggest something “Why don’t we order pizza and play else to do. video games at my house? ” � Team up with someone “Hey David, didn’t your parents also tell you that you would get grounded if you went to a party? ” �

Guidelines for using Refusal Skills: � Use assertive communication. � Clearly state your position. � If you say, “no” make sure you mean it. � Stand your ground. Don’t be “wishy-washy”. � Use body language when stating your position. (Facial expressions, hands gestures, erect posture).

SUGGESTIONS - PEER PRESSURE SCENARIOS 1. Your friends want you to go to a party where no parents will be supervising. 2. You are at the mall with your friends and they want you to steal from one of the stores. 3. You are spending the night at a friend’s house and they want to sneak out and TP a house. 4. You are at Safeway purchasing a soda and the person you are with wants you to help them steal alcohol. 5. You are at your friend’s house and their older sibling has weed and want you and your friend to smoke. 6. You are alone with your boyfriend/girlfriend and they are pressuring you to have sex. 7. You just got your license and your friend wants a ride home. (It is illegal for you to have another teen in the car for the first year of having your license). 8. Your friend sits next to you in Math class and during a test they whisper to show your paper.

Directions for group skit: • • • Create a group of 2 – 4 people. Select a scenario, or create one that illustrates a person being pressured to do something they don’t want to do. Explain the “set and setting. ” (Where are you, what is going on, who is present). Use a minimum of 3 different refusal skills. Make sure ALL group members write out the skit. Be prepared to share your skit to the class.