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Assessment and High Standards
Step Up to Writing • Secondary
Bonus Tool
10-16-4
4/12/07 1:51:24 PM
Peer Pressure
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Below Basic
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Basic
10
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Proficient
14
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16
Advanced
Peer pressure is something all kids feel. We are all influenced by our friends. Even
if a friend doesn’t say “Come on! Let’s do this!” you can still feel pressure to go along
just because they are doin it or it seems to be the thing to do. Some peer pressure is
postive, like a friend who asks you to join a study group. But the kind of peer pressure
to watch out for is the negative variety. There are a few things you can do if you are
feeling pressure from friends or other kids. They are: checking in with yourself first,
knowing it is okay to say no, and if needed, talking to an adult.
If someone says “Let’s skip math and go get lunch downtown instead!” your first
reaction might be a thrill. Let’s face it, it sounds fun. But take a deep breath, or stall
and say you need to get a drink, before you answer. Then think about it a moment
alone. Is that what you really want to do?
Sometimes it is hard to say no, especially to a friend. But friends don’t dislike you
for saying what you believe is right for yourself. If they do, maybe they are not really
a good friend and it may be time to find new ones. Say a friendly, “No thanks, I’ll pass.
Have Fun!” Then walk away. It helps to have another friend with you who says no, too.
Finally, if someone is pressuring you over and over again, it might be time to seek
help from an adult. That doesn’t mean ratting on them, it just means getting some
advice on how to make them stop.
Negative peer pressure can be hard to deal with, but remember, there are things
you can do when faced with it.
Proficient
Peer Pressure
4
5
6
Below Basic
7
8
9
Basic
10
11
12
13
Proficient
14
15
16
Advanced
Friends influence our behavior and our beliefs about what’s right and wrong.
Sometimes, their influence is positive, like pressuring us to join a study group. Other
times, it is negative, like pressuring us to try shoplifting. Even if a friend isn’t pushy,
we might still feel an urge to go along because it seems like the thing to do. It’s hard
in those situations to tease out what’s right or wrong if everyone is doing it. The peer
pressure normalizes even dangerous behavior like drinking or using drugs.
If you see such behaviors at every party you go to, you start thinking it’s the thing
to do. The trick is stopping and asking yourself if it is the thing for you to do. That’s
the first way to avoid negative peer pressure. Other ways include simply saying no
and being okay about it, declining in a casual way, and, if needed, getting help from an
adult.
If someone says “Let’s skip math and go get lunch downtown instead!” you might
feel thrilled at first. Let’s face it, it sounds fun. But take a deep breath, or stall and say
you need to get a drink, before you answer. Then think about it a moment alone. Ask
yourself, “Do I really want to do that?” Consider the consequences. Don’t let fears of
being disliked or rejected cloud your decision.
Sometimes it is hard to say no, especially to a friend. But good friends won’t
dislike or reject you for saying what you believe is right for yourself. If they do, maybe
they are not really a good friend. You might consider making new friends or hanging
out with those whose lives are moving in more positive directions.
If saying no seems too harsh, soften it. Make a joke or say a friendly, “No thanks,
I’ll pass. Have fun!” Get another friend to back you up and also say “No, I’ll pass, too.”
Keeping it light often keeps it easy.
Finally, if someone continues to pressure you, it’s probably time to seek help from
an adult. The purpose isn’t to get them in trouble, but to seek advice on how you can
get them to stop.
Negative peer pressure can be hard to resist. Being true to yourself and finding
real friends who respect your wishes will go a long way in avoiding it.
Advanced
Prompt: Write an expository essay that defines peer pressure and gives suggestions on ways to avoid negative peer pressure.
Samples for Student Writers
Expository Essays and Reports