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| Has your friend ever tried to convince you to do something you didn't want to do? That type of pressure is called "Peer Pressure". Not all peer pressure is bad - your friends might pressure you to do positive things, like join a sports team. But peer pressure can take you down the wrong path when someone is trying to convince you to do things like use drugs, get in a fight, steal, ditch school, pick on other kids, or join a gang. |
| Gangs and Peer Pressure |
| Gang members use peer pressure to get kids to join gangs. Once young people join a gang, they give up their freedom and rights. They are told what to do by the gang. Fighting this type of peer pressure and staying out of a gang can be the hardest challenge you'll face. |
Is somebody pressuring you or your friend to join a gang?
Here are some ways to handle it:
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- Sound Like A Scratched CD -- say “no” over and over again, like a scratched CD, to the people who are pressuring you.
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- Walk away from the people who are using peer pressure on you.
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- Avoid the people who are pressuring you. Take a different route to school, or try to avoid being near them in school or around the neighborhood.
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- Stay busy – Get into sports, music, or other positive activities, join a safe youth group or club, help other people or your community.
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- Choose friends who make good choices. If they make good choices, you can be there for each other when someone tries to pressure you.
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- Give an excuse or a comeback that will help you to get out of the peer pressure situation.
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- Talk to a trusted adult (parent, caregiver, foster parent, older family member or family friend) if you get pressured by gangs.
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Peer Pressure
