1. Middle School Groups Ages 11-13
Peer Relationships
Middle School Groups
Ages 11-13

2. Presenters Group 8 Alena Senior Stacy Bishop Shaquira Etan Ron Clark
Adam Fournier

3. Peer Relationships Types of Relationships Friendships
A significant relationship between two people
Based on caring, respect, consideration, and trust

4. Peer Relationships Types of Relationships (cont’d) Cliques
A small, narrow circle of friends
Usually share similar backgrounds or tastes
Excludes people they view as outsiders

5. Peer Relationships 3 Types of Friendship
Casual Friendships – peers with whom you feel socially connected
Close Friendships – peers with whom you are more likely to share your real feelings and thoughts
Platonic Friendships – a relationship with a member of the opposite gender in which there is affection, but no sexual activity

6. Cliques May be tightly or loosely knit
May treat non-members with scorn, ridicule, or indifference
Often discourages its members from being themselves
Actions are often “prejudicial” – a negative feeling toward someone/something based on stereotypes rather than experience

7. Responsible Relationships
As you experience changes in your feelings toward the opposite sex, it becomes important to be responsible in the relationships you form

8. Responsible Relationships
Dating Relationships
Dating is part of the process of learning interpersonal skills
Dating helps you learn what types of people you like and get along with best
Allows you to practice decision-making and communication skills

9. Responsible Relationships
Ongoing Relationships
A continuous relationship with one person of the opposite sex
Teens may be closing themselves off from meeting other people early in their social development
Breaking up and making up can be painful, but is necessary to becoming socially mature

10. Responsible Relationships
Choosing Not to Date
Not all teens date
Some have others interests, don’t have time, or simply don’t feel emotionally ready
Wait until you feel comfortable about dating
Talk to your parents about dating to learn their views on dating and values

11. Defining Peer Pressure
Positive Peer Pressure
Doing something you didn’t have the courage to do
Turns out well

12. Defining Peer Pressure
Negative Peer Pressure
Doing something you don’t want to do
Turns out poorly
May cause addiction
Manipulation
To manage or influence skillfully

13. Peer Pressure High Risk Traits Low self esteem Lack of confidence
Uncertainty about one’s place in a group
No personal interests
Feeling isolated from peers and/or family

14. Peer Pressure High Risk Traits (cont’d.) Lack of direction in life
Depression
Eating disorders
Poor academic abilities or performance
Fear of one’s peers
Close bond with a bully

15. Peer Pressure Why give in? “Everyone’s doing it” mentality
Desire to fit in
Fear of consequences
Being made fun of
Being left out
Curiosity

16. Negative Peer Pressure
Submitting to negative peer pressure
Desire to fit into the group
Labeled as a loser

17. Negative Peer Pressure
Mostly effects:
Girls based on their looks
Between ages of years old
Focuses on:
Importance of having a certain look
Being considered “pretty” or “handsome”
Looking like an idolized model/body builder
Pressure to have certain clothes, shoes, accessories

18. Negative Peer Pressure

19. Responding to Negative Peer Pressure
There are 3 ways you can respond to negative peer pressure
Passively
Aggressively
Assertively

20. Responding to Negative Peer Pressure
The Passive Way
Giving up, giving in, or backing down without standing up for your own rights and needs
Passive people may think that they are making friends by going along with peer pressure

21. Responding to Negative Peer Pressure
The Aggressive Way
Being overly forceful, pushy, hostile, or otherwise attacking in approach
The aggressive approach to saying no may involve punching, yelling, shouting insults, or displaying other kinds of physical or verbal force

22. Responding to Negative Peer Pressure
The Assertive Way
Stand up for your rights in a firm yet positive manner
State your position, acknowledge the rights of other individuals, and then stand your ground
Do not bully or back away
Become a role model for other teens

23. Peer Pressure and Refusal Skills
Assertive Refusal
How to win:
Prepare ahead of time for uncomfortable situations
Know where you stand on key issues
Do not allow yourself to seek comfort in making others feel bad
Think of yourself as a leader
Refuse to let yourself down

25. Personalizing Peer Pressure
What inner conflicts did the main character face?
What happened when he resisted peer pressure? And when he gave in?
Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like there was no right answer?
What would you have done if you were in main character’s position?