© 2008 Sopris West Educational Services. Secondary-sec10.indd 49 Print Form Assessment and High Standards Step Up to Writing • Secondary Bonus Tool 10-16-4 4/12/07 1:51:24 PM Peer Pressure 4 5 6 Below Basic 7 8 9 Basic 10 11 12 13 Proficient 14 15 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