1. Realize How Cool You Really Are!  

2. Choose Your Closest Friends Carefully

“I know that peer pressure is very much out there.  But peer pressure doesn’t always have to be negative.  I am often influenced by peers to do better in academics, athletics.”  (California 14-year-old, USA Today Teen Panel, 1994)

“You can’t let people who aren’t going anywhere influence your opinions.”  (Basketball superstar Kareem Abdul Jabar)

3. Set Some Non-Negotiables   

“To act without clear understanding, to form habits without investigation, to follow a path all one’s life without knowing where it really leads—such is the behavior of the multitude.” (Marcus Mencius)

4. Prepare for Peer Pressure 

STEP #1: BE ALERT

Warning Signs: A red light should begin flashing in your head when you see or hear:

• Older guys taking a special interest in younger girls. 

• People dressing or acting in rebellious ways.

• People hanging out in places where no one can see what they are doing.

• Constant negative conversation

• A feeling in your gut that something’s not right. 

• Excitement over disobedience to authority

Standard Persuasions: Understand their appeal. 

1.   It’s no big deal. (The Appeal: _______________________________)
2.   We won’t get caught. (The Appeal: _______________________________)
3.   Hey, be cool! (The Appeal: _______________________________)
4.   Don’t be a wimp. (The Appeal: _______________________________)
5.   Are you chicken?  (The Appeal: _______________________________)
6.  You’re not scared, are you? (The Appeal: ____________________________)
7.   If you’re really my friend, you’ll….  (The Appeal: _______________________)
8.   Grow up! (The Appeal: _______________________________)
9.   But everybody’s doing it.  (The Appeal: ____________________________)
10.  I’m going to get a beer, let’s go.  (The Appeal: _________________________)
11.  It’ll be a blast.  (The Appeal: _______________________________)
12.  If you love me, you’ll let me.  (The Appeal: ___________________________)

STEP #2: BE WISE 

1. Does it break the law?
2. Could it make an authority (parents, shop owner, school official) angry?
3. Could someone get physically or emotionally hurt?

STEP #3: BE BOLD  

• “NO/ I’ll pass/ No way.”  

• Leave without saying anything. 

• Ignore. 

• Give a good reason why you can’t. 

                            a) “I’ve got homework.” b) “I have other responsibilities.” c) “My dad would strangle me.”

• Disarm them with humor.

a) “Wouldn't you know it! That’s the same night as my Hollywood screen test.”

b) “I’d love to, but I promised my dog I’d brush her teeth tonight.”

c) “Is that a low-tar joint?  I only smoke low tar.”

d) “I’m waiting for the Surgeon General’s report.”

e) “I just popped a few 'M & M’s;' I can’t handle anything else today.”

f) “Sure! If you don’t mind my barfing all over your couch (or car)."

• Mix your response with a compliment, to soften the blow.  

a) “You’re too important to me to let you do that.”

b) “You’re too smart to really mean that.”  

c) “You’re too good a friend.  I don’t want to see you get hurt” (“get in trouble.”)  

d) “I know you can come up with something better than that idea!”

e) “If we got caught, my parents wouldn’t let me do things with you anymore. I’d hate that.”

• The better idea.  “Why don’t we go ride bikes/ visit a friend/ see a movie/ get a snack instead?”

When they won’t take “no” for an an answer.

Q. “Are you chicken?” A1. “Yea, so what?” A2. “Right.”

Q. “Aren’t you my friend?” A1. Sure, that’s why I don’t want to do this with you.” A2. If you’re really my friend, you won’t pressure me to do something I don’t want to do (don’t believe is right).

Respond confidently, finally, definitely.  If they keep pressuring you, cut it off:  “I’m leaving. I’m not talking about it any more.” 

Conclusion

The Tribunal: “Athanasius, do you not know that the whole world is against you?”  
Athanasius: “Then Athanasius is against the whole world.”