Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 6

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Define peer pressure and its different forms.
• Recognize peer pressure situations in daily life.
• Evaluate the consequences of giving in to peer pressure.
• Develop strategies to resist negative peer pressure.
• Learn to communicate assertively and say 'no'.

Lesson summary

This week, we'll be focusing on dealing with peer pressure. Peer pressure is the influence exerted by a peer group, encouraging individuals to adopt certain behaviours, attitudes, or values in order to be accepted or fit in. In South Africa, where community and belonging are highly valued, understanding and managing peer pressure is crucial. It can be a powerful force, sometimes leading to positive actions like participating in school activities, but often to negative ones, such as engaging in risky behaviours like smoking, drinking, or even bullying, just to be accepted by the group.

Lesson notes

What is Peer Pressure? Peer pressure is the influence your friends and classmates have on you. It can be positive, like encouraging you to study harder or try out for a sports team.

However, it is more often thought about in the negative sense: wanting you to do things you wouldn't normally do because your friends are doing it. This can include things that are dangerous, illegal, or against your values.

Types of Peer Pressure: Direct Peer Pressure: This is when someone directly asks you to do something or tries to persuade you.

Examples include: "Come on, just try one cigarette. Everyone's doing it!" "Why aren't you drinking? Don't be such a baby!" "If you're really our friend, you'll skip class with us." Indirect Peer Pressure: This is when you feel pressured to do something because you see others doing it, even if they don't directly ask you.

Examples include: Seeing other kids shoplifting at the spaza shop and feeling tempted to do it too. Seeing your friends wearing expensive clothes and feeling like you need to buy similar items to fit in. Hearing your friends making fun of someone and feeling pressured to join in, even if you don't agree with it. Why is Peer Pressure So Strong?

Desire to Belong: We all want to feel accepted and liked by our peers. We don't want to be left out or seen as different.

Fear of Rejection: We worry that if we don't go along with the group, we will be rejected or made fun of.

Low Self-Esteem: If we don't feel good about ourselves, we might be more likely to seek approval from others and give in to their pressure.

Lack of Confidence: If we don't feel confident in our own decisions, we might be easily swayed by others' opinions. Strategies for Resisting Negative Peer Pressure: Say "No" Assertively: Be firm and direct in your refusal. Don't apologize or make excuses. Look the person in the eye and say "No, thank you." or simply "No." Give a Reason: Explain why you don't want to do something. For example, "No, I don't want to skip class because I want to get good grades." or "No thanks, I don't smoke because it's bad for my health." Suggest an Alternative: Offer a different activity that you're comfortable with. For example, "Instead of smoking, let's go play soccer." or "Let's go to the library instead of skipping class." Change the Subject: Steer the conversation away from the topic that's making you uncomfortable.

Walk Away: If the pressure is too intense or you feel unsafe, simply remove yourself from the situation.

Find Support: Talk to a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher, or counselor. They can offer advice and support.

Choose Your Friends Wisely: Surround yourself with friends who respect your decisions and values.

Remember Your Values: Think about what is important to you and make decisions that align with those values.

Example Scenarios: Scenario 1: You are at school and your friends are planning to vandalize the school bathroom. They are pressuring you to join in.

Solution: Say "No, I don't want to vandalize the bathroom. It's wrong and we could get into trouble." Suggest an alternative activity: "Instead of doing that, let's go play soccer on the field." Walk away and tell a teacher or principal about what your friends are planning.

Scenario 2: You are at a party and your friends are drinking alcohol. They are pressuring you to drink too.

Solution: Say "No, thank you. I don't drink alcohol." Give a reason: "I don't drink alcohol because I'm too young and it's bad for my health." Change the subject: "Hey, have you heard the new song by [South African artist]?" Ask a trusted adult at the party for help or call your parents to pick you up. Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1: Sipho is walking home from school with his friends. They decide to steal some sweets from the local spaza shop. They tell Sipho that if he doesn't steal sweets too, he's not their friend. What kind of peer pressure is this, and what could Sipho do?

Solution: This is direct peer pressure because his friends are explicitly stating that his friendship depends on him committing a crime.

Sipho could: Say no assertively: "No, I'm not going to steal. Stealing is wrong." Give a reason: "I don't want to steal because I don't want to get in trouble with the police, and it's not right to take things that don't belong to us." Walk away: If the pressure is too much, he can simply say he needs to go home and leave. He could also tell a trusted adult about the situation.

Question 2: Thandi's friends are all buying the latest expensive sneakers. Thandi's family cannot afford them, but she feels like she won't fit in if she doesn't have them. What kind of peer pressure is this, and what can Thandi do?

Solution: This is indirect peer pressure because no one is directly telling Thandi to buy the sneakers, but she feels pressure to conform based on what she sees her friends doing.