1. Warm-Up
In what ways do friends contribute to your life? List as many examples as you can!

2. Peer and Dating Relationships
Lesson 30

3. Objectives
Evaluate the positive and negative effects of peer relationships and friends on physical and emotional health
Evaluate the dynamics of social groups
Demonstrate refusal strategies and apply skills for making responsible decision under pressure
Examine strategies for maintaining safe and healthy dating relationships
Identify the characteristics of a healthy dating relationship

4. Friendship Significant relationship between two people
Based upon caring, respect, trust and consideration
People you share hobbies, interests and other friends with
Platonic friendship: friendship with a member of the gender in which there is affection but the two people are not considered a couple

5. Types of Friendships Casual Close
Relationship between peers who share something in common
People with whom you share some interest but you do not necessarily form deep emotional bonds with
Close
Strong emotional ties
Comfortable sharing thoughts, experiences and feelings
Trust and support each other
True friends have several common attributes:
Similar values, interests, beliefs and attitudes
Open and honest communication
Sharing of joys, disappointments, dreams and concerns
Mutual respect, caring and support
Concern about each other’s safety and well-being

6. Cliques
Small circle of friends usually with similar backgrounds of tastes, who exclude people viewed as outsiders
Often share similar attitudes, wear the same clothing, meet regularly in an area identified as their “turf” and engage in other behaviors that identify them as a clique
Can have both positive and negative influences on peers
Positive: provide members with a sense of belonging, self confidence
Negative: members discouraged from thinking for themselves, exclusion of other people, prejudices and stereotypes enforced
Prejudice: making assumptions of judgments about an individual without really knowing him or her
Stereotype: exaggerated and oversimplified belief about an entire group of people, such as an ethnic or religious group or a gender
What are some common stereotypes? What prejudices do individuals face because of stereotypes. In your WU NB write about a time you felt like you were being stereotyped. Why do you think people were stereotyping you? How did it make you feel? How did you deal with it? After considering how you felt, think about if you have ever placed another person in a sterotype.

7. Building and Strengthening Friendships
Be loyal
Trust and depend on each other
Speak respectfully of each other
Encourage each other
Be supportive
Acknowledge each other’s accomplishments
Help each other through difficult times
Respect each other
Common courtesy
Avoid taking friends for granted
Keep your promises

8. Peer Pressure The influence that people you age may have on you
Positive or negative influences
Positive:
Encourage participation in healthful behaviors
Discourage participation in risky behaviors
Negative:
Pressure others to take part in behaviors with negative consequences
Harassment: persistently annoying others
Engaging in behaviors against one’s values
Manipulation: indirect, dishonest way to control or influence others

9. Resisting Negative Peer Pressure
Avoid it if possible
Develop friendships with people who share your values and interests
Stay true to yourself
Be assertive
Stand up for your rights in a firm but positive way
Use refusal skills
Communication strategies that can help you say no when you are urged to take part in behaviors that are unsafe, unhealthy or that go against your values
Step 1: State your position
Just say no!
Step 2: Suggest alternatives
Suggest another activity in place of the one you do not want to partake in
Step 3: Stand your ground
Use strong body language
Maintain eye contact
Leave the situation

10. Passive and Aggressive Responses
Passive: tendency to give up, give in or back down without standing up for one’s own rights and needs
Passive teens may thing they are making friends by going along
May cause others to view them as pushovers
Aggressive: overly forceful, pushy, hostile or otherwise attacking in an approach
Aggressive teens may react by yelling, shouting, shoving or insulting others
Most people react to aggressive behavior by avoiding the individual
Being ASSERTIVE, not passive or aggressive will serve as a useful skill throughout life, especially when resisting peer pressure
Complete activity 12

11. Dating Don’t be pressured into dating, make sure it is your choice
Group dates are a great option
Dating allows teens to develop and practice social skills
What to do on a date?
Sports or athletic activities
Promote health
Allow dates to get to know each other better in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere
Community activities
Choose an event or activity that interests both of you
Charitable activities
Volunteering together can help build strong friendships
A great option for group dates
Brainstorm some local ideas where you could go on a date

12. Avoiding Risky Situations
Avoid places where alcohol and drugs are present
Alcohol and drugs impair judgment
People under the influence are more likely to engage in risky behaviors
Avoid being alone with a date at home or in an isolated place
You may find it more difficult to maintain self-control when you are home alone or in an isolated place with a date

13. Relationships
An ongoing relationship with just one person may help you develop skills and behaviors that will someday prepare you for the responsibility in marriage
However, dating only one person during adolescent may limit your chances of socializing with others
Teen years are a time to try different roles and relationships
Don’t stay in a relationship just because it is comfortable
Common dating problems include staying in a relationship because you don’t know how to leave it gracefully OR clinging to a person who wishes to end the relationship
Honesty and open communication will help resolve difficulties

14. Setting Limits Curfew As you mature you’ll need to set your own limits
May be set by a parent or guardian
Set time that you must be home
As you mature you’ll need to set your own limits
Age, where you’ll go, what you’ll do
Make your limits clear to avoid potentially risky situations
Think about limits you have for yourself. Write them down. I have mentioned a few limits here, but there are many more you need to think about.

15. Read time health pg 324, find lyrics about relationships…how does this song portray a relationship? How do you think this effects society’s view about relationships? Think about the media in general…do you feel pressured to date or not to date because of the media? What kind of messages do tv shows, movies and songs send to teens about relationships? Extension: exploring issues pg 314…create a survey to find out what your classmates consider to be the most important values in a friendship. Is it different between boys and girls?