Session 33: Overcoming peer pressure
- Itsekiri NextGen Project: 2022 Session 33 Report
- Topic: Overcoming peer pressure
- Date: Saturday 03/09/2022
- Volunteers Present: 3
- Total Number of Attendees: 45
- Timings: 9:00am – 1:00pm
- Venue: Former Caravan 4, Aja-Pessu (Pessu Town), Warri
- Main Topic/Activity: Overcoming peer pressure
- Resource Person: Uwala Tedeye / Omatsola Okpeyeaghan
Summary
Young ones are easily lured by their peers to do what they aren’t comfortable with, but because they want to be in their friend’s good book, they consent to do those things. The 33rd session was dedicated to making participants know that they have to hold firm to their good morals and say no to whatever negative pressure.
Session Delivery
The session began with an opening prayer, which was followed by the Itsekiri anthem. Then the participants settled down awaiting the introduction of the topic of the day.
Uwala Tedeye anchored the first session as she introduced the topic to the participants. They were asked to define what peer means, but they seem not to be familiar with the term. They were told a peer could be one belonging to the same societal group, especially based on age. Not only that, but they have their peer group in their neighbourhood, school, church, e.t.c.
They were later asked to define pressure, and a girl said it means to apply force to something for it to work. It was a good attempt.
Since they have known the meaning of peer and pressure, they were asked to define the term peer pressure in their own words. A boy came forward to define peer pressure as doing something wrong against your wish to please your friends, which is also a good attempt, as it isn’t far from the facilitator’s definition. She defined peer pressure as doing something because you want to feel valued and accepted by your friends.
Peer pressure is connected with self-confidence. One with self-confidence will be able to ward off pressures from peers. Overcoming peer pressure is about getting the right balance between being oneself and fitting in with groups.
She went further to make participants know that peer pressure is of two types;
- Positive peer pressure: some children can be influenced to get more assertive, and get involved in school activities and extracurricular activities.
- Negative peer pressure: whenever the phrase peer pressure is used, the negative aspect is what comes to mind because people are more easily influenced to do negative things than positive. Examples of negative pressure are;
-
- Shoplifting or stealing.
- Engaging in sexual activities.
- Engaging bullying.
- Indecent/inappropriate dressing.
- Cheating or copying someone else’s work.
- Using drugs and alcohol.
Omatsola Okpeyeaghan took over the question and answer session. He asked questions like;
- What is a peer?
- The difference between peers and friends.
- Types of peer pressure.
- What is positive peer pressure?
- What is negative peer pressure?
- Examples of both positive and negative peer pressure.
- He went further to ask if joining a bad gang is negative peer pressure, what about joining a study group? They all answered that it is positive peer pressure.
He made them know that they should be contented with what they have, so as not to be easily influenced by peers to do negative things.
- Negative peer pressure makes one lose focus in academics and consequently drop out of school.
- It can also make a female have an unwanted pregnancy.
Key activities during the session
Questions from participants were welcome. Twp selected questions were;
- Is spying or cooperating during an examination bad? It seems to be a norm because everyone is doing it.
- Is it normal to have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
In response to both questions, the facilitators advised that;
- Though so many people spying and cheating during examinations doesn’t make it right. It is wrong in its entirety. Itsekiri NextGen stands for good morals, hence all our participants must be bold to say no to any form of evil advances from peers.
- It isn’t normal to have a boyfriend or girlfriend at this tender age. There is time for everything, and this time is to focus on your studies as against sexual relationships. At this age, our participants don’t need to be too close to the opposite sex. Even if others are doing that, it isn’t expected from Itsekiri NextGen participants.
