Peer Pressure
Identifying and dealing with peer pressure
Understanding Peer Pressure
Peer pressure is when people your age try to influence your decisions. It can be direct ('Come on, just try it!') or indirect (feeling you must dress or act a certain way to fit in). Peer pressure can be positive or negative.
Positive vs Negative Peer Pressure
Positive peer pressure: friends encourage you to study, join a sports team, be honest or help others.
Negative peer pressure: being pushed to skip school, bully someone, try substances, or engage in risky behaviour. This kind of pressure can have serious consequences.
Example
How to Say No
Assertive responses you can use:
• 'No thanks, that's not for me.'
• 'I have to be somewhere — see you later.'
• 'I don't want to get into trouble.'
• Walk away — you don't owe anyone an explanation.
• Change the subject: 'Let's do something else instead.'
Practice with a friend so it feels natural when you need it.
Note
Remember
Real friends respect your choices. If someone pressures you to do something dangerous or wrong, they are not being a true friend. Talk to a trusted adult — a parent, teacher or counsellor — if you feel unsafe.
Key Vocabulary
Peer pressureInfluence from people your own age to behave in a certain way
AssertiveStanding up for yourself in a respectful and confident way
ConsequenceThe result of an action or decision
InfluenceThe power to affect someone's behaviour or decisions
Refusal skillThe ability to say no to negative pressure
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Peer pressure
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