April 11, 2005 Hello! While "Peer Pressure Season" lasts all year, it can often peak with prom and graduation. "Lots of people
feel pressure from their friends to drink, do drugs, or lose their
virginity on prom night. As with your other prom plans, take a
minute to think in advance about how you'll avoid getting into
an unwanted situation. You'll feel more confident and in control
if you're prepared. Unfortunately, drugs and alcohol impair your
judgment and can hurt you. And there's also the fact that drinking
and drugs are illegal - you don't want to spend prom night in
the lockup. Be sure you have a safe ride home, whether it's a
designated driver, parent, or that chauffeur-driven limo. It's
also a good idea to have cab fare or to bring a cell phone and
the number of an older sibling or parent just in case your ride
gets wild. Substances like alcohol and drugs can also play a role
in teens' losing their virginity on prom night. The decision to
have sex is an important personal choice that involves many factors.
Don't feel pressure to have sex just because it's a special night
- your night will be even more While you want to enjoy prom night and have fun, you also want to be in a state of mind to remember it. Keeping your mind clear can also help you to make choices that you are less likely to regret later. "[A]lcohol use is
associated with a range of health risks, including: *Unsafe sex
*Unwanted pregnancy *Drink driving and road accidents *Fights
*Criminal activity." All these risks -- and more -- can have health consequences. Thinking about the possible risks and consequences without being surrounded by the excitement of the evening can help as you decide ahead of time what you do -- and do not -- want to be a part of your prom night fun. "On Wednesday, a
grisly automobile accident will take place at Chalmette High School.
Glass will shatter, and property will be damaged. Some victims
will walk away with only minor injuries, and some will die. Thankfully,
the scenario will just be a staged re-enactment. Dubbed 'Project
Prom Safety,' the scene may be fake, but the message is very real....
'Our plan is to stage a mock fatality where prom couples are drinking
and driving, and hit an unsuspecting innocent family,' ... St.
Bernard Sheriff's Office personnel will conduct a field sobriety
test on the 'drunken' students and read them their Miranda rights.
St. Bernard Parish Coroner Bryan Bertucci will pronounce the victims
dead. 'You can watch the reaction of the kids; at first you see
them laughing and joking, and after the Sometimes, knowing what you are going to say (and why you are going to say it) can help if a situation arises where there is pressure to do something you really don't want to do (or something you want more time to think about before you decide to do). Even in a situation you may not be ready for, you may not have planned for, and you may not think you want to deal with right at that moment, you can still make the choice that is right for you. "You need to take
charge here. Stop and think. Ask yourself some questions. Could
this be trouble? Will it break the law? Will it break the school
or home rules? Will people in authority be angry with me or disappointed?
Will someone be hurt - body or feelings? Will I be safe? Do I
feel good about this? Assess the situation - think about what
is happening. You need to be able to recognise bad peer pressure.
... Make a good decision. Think: do I want to do this? (what is
your body telling you?) what good things could happen? what bad
things could happen? ... Think quickly. Decide which strategy
to use for saying NO. If this is a situation where you are being
bullied or in danger, then you must ensure your safety first.
This might mean agreeing to think about it and then saying 'NO'
when you are in a safer place, or not alone. ... Whatever
you do, speak quickly and firmly. Make it clear that your mind
is made up and you don't want to talk about it any more." It can sometimes be difficult to say, "No," to a friend or date. Even offering, "Later," or "Not tonight, " as an answer can be easier to say -- and easier to receive. This will also give you more time to decide what you really want to do. "Prom can be magical.
But it's not the only time you'll have this much fun: There are
plenty of other life-defining events as well. So don't let anyone
use prom night to Questions of the Week: Please email me with any ideas or suggestions. I look forward to reading what you have to say. Cindy |
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