KASIE’S KORNER, Just Say NO

Imagine this scenario: There is a big test in your English class on Friday. You had to work extra hours this week for your part-time job, and there is not enough time to study. Your best friend offers to sit in front of you and show you the answers. She is an excellent student, so you know you would be assured a good grade if you cheated. Should you do it?

Think about this: All of your good friends will be attending a house party on Friday night. It has been rumored at school that the adults who live in the house will not be at home. One of the party hosts promises alcohol will be available at the party. Everyone who is anyone will be there. Should you go?

These situations are commonplace in high schools all over America. Young people experience social pressures every day that we refer to as peer pressure. This pressure influences young people to act in a certain way to gain acceptance among their peers. So as a teenager, how can you prepare yourself to deal with these tough situations when you know you should resist the temptation?
The answer to this question is not easy, but here are a few ideas that
have worked for me.

1. First, think about the situation very carefully. What are the advantages
and the disadvantages of participating in each scenario?

2. Decide on the action that you will take and the consequences you may face because of your decision.

3. Think about how you’ll approach your friends with your decision
and prepare a response.

Here is how these situations might play out. In scenario one, you might thank your friend for offering to help, but because you don’t want to jeopardize the reputation of either you or your friend, you decide to study as best you can, take the test without her help, and enjoy the rewards or suffer the consequences.

In scenario two, you can schedule something else for yourself on that evening
such as picking up a shift at work, or taking your little brother to the movies.
When your friends ask if you are going to the party, you can explain to them that you already have a commitment to do something else. You might also tell them that it’s not worth getting caught, andyou have too many plans coming up in the near future and you’d prefer not to be grounded.

Considering the consequences of going along with the group and learning to think through the choices that you make are important skills to develop as a young person. They are skills that will be used throughout your adult life. Probably the most important lesson that you can learn is to weigh your options and trust yourself. By developing confidence in your decision-making, you will have the strength to defend yourself against peer pressure.