Peer Relationships Who Are Your Peers PEERS people

Peer Relationships

Who Are Your Peers � PEERS- people close to you in age who are a lot like you. � May be classmates, neighbors, friends, teammates. � May also be an ACQUAINTANCE- someone you see occasionally or know casually. � You may have never meet them but you have something in common.

Friendships During the Teen Years � FRIENDSHIP- is a relationship with someone you know, trust, and regard with affection. � Usually begin with a common interest. � Peers are those around you, friends are those you choose to build relationships with.

What Makes a Good Friend � RELIABLE- trustworthy and dependable. � › Stick together through good and bad. › Respect and honor each others values, beliefs and differences. › You do what you say you will do. › Do not talk negatively to others about friends. � Shared Values › You value the same things LOYAL- faithful � Caring › Shown by being interested in the other person › Is a good listener and pays attention.

What Makes a Good Friend � SYMPATHETICaware of how others may be feeling at a given moment. › Understand respect how others are feeling � Trust › Proven through reliability and loyalty. � Respect › Has self respect and respect for others. › Also show respect for each others values and differences › Give time and attention to each other

Making New Friends � Most common places to meet friends for preteens and teens are › School › Neighborhood › Shared activities � Challenges to making fiends › Moving › Changing grades › Changing schools

Making New Friends � Be yourself � › Identify your values and beliefs and interest. � Break the ice › Start a conversation with a compliment or question › If you share the same interest it may be a good start. Seek out teens who share your interests › Join clubs, sports, community groups � Join a group that works for a cause you support › Will also show citizenship to others › Will also help your community

Strengthening Friendships � Spend time together � › The more time you spend the better you get to know someone › Participate in common interests � Communicate openly and honestly › Builds trust and respect Help each other through hard times › Be supportive and sympathetic › Don’t just hang around during the good times � Respect each others differences › Not everyone is exactly alike.

Strengthening Friendships � Encourage each other to reach goals › Be giving in your time and attention › Be supportive � Identify problems and work to solve them › Problems one friend has �Another point of view may be helpful › Problems between friends �Use good communication skills �Be honest and truthful

Peer Pressure � PEER PRESSURE- the influence that your peer group has on you. � Influence can be direct or indirect � Indirect is what you see your peers doing and want to do it as well. No one is forcing you. � Direct is when someone tells you what you should do to fit in.

Positive and Negative Peer Pressure � Positive peer pressure helps you make healthy choices in all three aspects of health. › Examples? � Negative peer pressure may make unhealthy or unsafe choices. › May pressure you to do something you do not want to. › The choice is your to make. � Encouraging someone to do something harmful or illegal. › Dares, threats, teasing, name calling

Resisting Negative Peer Pressure � Use H. E. L. P. (Healthful, Ethical, Legal, Parent Approved) › If what is suggested does not meet help refuse � Ways to resist › Avoid the situation › Use ASSERTIVE RESPONSES- state your position strongly and confidently �Say no. › Focus on the issue �Give reasons for your choice, avoid trading insults. › Walk away