1. PEER INFLUENCE

2. Shoes Please stand up Lets look at our shoes; What observation can you make? Do they look equal, same? Now: is it possible to reverse them, putting the left foot in the right one?

3. Definition of peer It is the same thing for people They can be very similar, not only physically but sharing common characteristics When it happen with people, we call them peers. That is, two persons sharing common characteristics?

4. Particularities of peer influence To influence each other, peers will need to share common maximum characteristics

5. Some common characteristics Peer Sex Age Profession Religion Language Socio- economic status Live in the same quater Have same hobby

6. Influence The more the characteristics are common, the stronger is the influence That is why some peers can consider themselves to be best friends or confidents (because they share a lot of common characteristics) For example: who is your confident? Why have you chosen the person as confident?

7. Why is an adolescent attracted by others Because of : The desire to conform (be like them) Pressure made by peers (if not, we are no longer friends) Mode of acquiring knowledge (they teach what you don’t know but their teaching may be wrong) Mode of acquiring behaviour (do like them, do what they do) A peer is like an example to an adolescent

8. Type of influences Positive Negative

9. Positive influence of peers Peers as educational models – Sharing of information – Similar problems – Facility to confide to the peer – Age mate relationship Peer as reference – The feeling of being understood and accepted – Confidential relationship – Model of identification – Construction of a personal identity

10. Negative influence of Peers The desire of conformity Adoption of similar behaviour: - Same dressing attitudes - Same conviction Could be excluded from the group - Accommodation - Incapable of affirming Pressure from peers - The desire of imposing - Blackmailing implied - The fear of dislocation

11. Why would an adolescent easily be influenced? Because he/she is facing difficulties or problems either in his  Family or  Social environment

12. Types of difficulties in the family environment?  Marital conflicts  Physical or moral abuse  Alcoholism  Parents being indifferent  Lack of maturity of mothers (e.g. Teen mother)  Difficulty or lack of communication  Lack of understanding  Lack of affection  Negligence by parents  Rejection or abandonment  Excessive or relenting control by parents  ‘Tolerated Prostitution’ of adolescent

13. Types of difficulties in the social environment  Bad company  Dangerous environment  Promiscuity  Pollution (dirty, noise)  Tendency to tell lie  Giving value to bad behavior (feymania)  Considering stealing as normal  Taking corruption as natural

14. How to help an adolescent resist peer influences? Be yourself a role model Teach acceptance and self respect Put to value the capacity of adolescents

15. How to help an adolescent in difficulty? Show him your availability to listen to him actively Recognise the legitimacy of her/his preoccupations Avoid judging him Do not minimise their difficulties Favour autonomy while respecting their limits and the capacities of adolescents Give them good information Help them in evaluating their situation

16. Thank you for your attention