PEER RELATIONSHIPS,

FRIENDSHIPS, PEER INFLUENCE

AND ATTRACTION
Prepared by: Barsha Boruah.
Academic Counselor
 WHAT IS PEER GROUP?
 Peer groups are a type
of social group that is
made up of people who
share similar
interests, social
status, and are in the
same age group.
 WHAT IS PEER PRESSURE?
 Pressure from one’s
peers to behave in a
manner similar or
acceptable to them.
 Peer pressure is
influence that a peer
group, observers or
individual exerts that
encourages other to
change their attitude.
 POSITIVE PEER INFLUENCE

P
 NEGATIVE PEER PRESSURE

1. Taking drugs.
2. Stealing
3. Driving without license
4. Cheating on tests
5. Dressing or acting in a certain way
6. Not being friends with someone
7. Bullying
 HOW TO HANDLE NEGATIVE PEER INFLUENCE
 Pursue your own interests
 Say “no”

 Don’t judge

 Friends don’t have to argue on everything

 Avoid places and situations that make you

uncomfortable
 Choose positive friends
 CASE STUDY

RAJU used to study all the time, weather at school or at

home. He always scored good marks. He did not have any other
interests or hobbies. When he joined a new school in class XI, he
became friends with Zaheer and Moti. Both were keen
cricketers. Raju started to play cricket with them and
discovered that he was a good spin bowler. His parents are now
concerned that he is spending too many hours in the playground
which may affect his studies.

1. Do you think Zaheer and Moti are a good inflence on Raju?

2. Do you think that Raju’s parents are justified in being
concerned about his new hobby?
3. Should Raju continue playing cricket? Why?
 CASE STUDY

SUJIT and MANOJ were buying a music CD at a shop just

outside the school gate. They spotted SHARAD going home.
They caught hold of him and bullied him for money to buy
the CD. Sharad refused because he had often been forced to
lend money to them since he had joined this school in class 9
almost a year ago. The two boys never returned the money
they borrowed. When Sharad refused, the two bullies
pushed him around until he fell, then , snatched his money
and ran away. Sharad’s class teacher, who was returning
home, saw him lying on the ground and helped him back to
his feet. Despite being asked, Sharad did not reveal how he
hurt himself. The next day, Abid, who was Sharad’s
classmate, and had witnessed the whole incident, asked him
to complain to the teacher. Sharad hesitated, but agreed
when Abid offered to accompany him to the teacher’s room.
1. Self confidence and assertiveness are essential
for maintaining positive relationships
2. Trust is a very important element in all
relationships
3. There is a need for mutual respect and honesty
in all relationships
4. In any relationships, it is important to assess
our feelings and communicate them honestly.
5. Peer relationships can have both positive and
negative dimensions.
6. Repressing feelings or pretending they do not
exist can give rise to chronic frustration, anger
and depression