Unit 2, Lesson 8 What Counts in Friendship

In your journal, respond to the following statement: Why do we need friends?

Bonding is when two people feel close to one another

Social skills are skills that help you to interact with others.

Benefits of friendships You are less likely to feel lonely Friends can help you develop your personality Friends are supportive during hard times Friendships can make you healthier, because they tend to reduce stress

Man’s Best Friend can Lower Stress Levels and Make you Feel Healthier!

Sometimes friendships can be exclusive… A Clique is a group of people who exclude people from their group.

Being in a clique can prevent you from developing social skills. You do not interact with others, and therefore do not develop social skills to deal with new people in new situations.

How do we prevent ourselves from being in a clique? Include new people in your group of friends Introduce yourself to new people Say NO if your group of friends wants to leave anyone else out

Sometimes Friendships can Involve Negative Choices… Peer pressure is when those around you encourage you to do things, good or bad Negative Peer Pressure involves a person making unhealthy choices because they are pressured to do so by those around them – Example: being peer pressured to do drugs

Sometimes Peer Pressure Can Be Positive If you are encouraged by those around you to make healthy choices, it can be positive peer pressure. Example: being peer pressured to study hard for a test