S2 - Self Leadership

Objective: You will be able to understand the need to do the right thing based on sound values and principles and not external influences.

What is Peer Pressure?

The desire to do things that are influenced by the peers around you, instead of your own intention.
Can be positive (good) or negative (bad) pressure.
Limited by one’s assertiveness and self talk.

Watch this short video about how a person can experience negative peer pressure in his social circle.

Moral Courage

Moral – Principles of right and wrong
Courage – Ability and willingness to confront difficulty, danger, fear, etc.
Doing the right thing even at the risk of adverse consequences.

Young people tend to be greatly influenced by their friends in school so as to ‘fit in’ and hence may not necessarily do the right thing even if they feel something is wrong.

CAse Study 1

1. What could happen to him and his friends?

2. Why is the public concerned?

3. What do you think went through his mind when he scaled the roof and performed the stunts?

Case Study 2

1. Why did the act invoke negative emotions?

2. Why do you think the youths play such a prank? What do you think they were thinking?

3. If your friend coerce you to do likewise, would you do it for the sake of "fun"? How would you respond?

Dilemmatic Situations

1. You are in a MRT with a group of friends. It was not really crowded and there were empty seats around. Your friends decided to take the reserved seats near the doors. Just then, a pregnant lady entered the train. Your friends ‘ignored’ her as there are other empty seats around in the carriage. What would you do?

2. You were reading your book during recess when two of your close friends started teasing/taunting another boy who was trying to revise for a test, making fun of him and calling him names. In fact the boy has been constantly targeted by the two friends ever since he reported them to the form teacher for using their phone to play mobile games in between lessons. What would you do?

3. You and your classmates are eating in the canteen during recess. The bell rang and everyone starts to rush to leave the table, leaving behind their plates and utensils. It is level assembly, and you may be punished if you are late. What would you do?

Advice

Do not succumb to negative peer pressure – don’t follow the crowd blindly because of the need to feel belong.

Think before you act – what you do in a moment of folly can have a lasting impact on your character.

Have the integrity to DO THE RIGHT THING!

Reflection and Quiz

You have come to the last part of this lesson. To assess your understanding, spend a few minutes to reflect on the following questions and do the short quiz below and submit your answers to get a score (out of 5).

1. Name an example of a situation where you witnessed your friends doing something that is not appropriate and you did not point out their wrong action. How did you feel and why?

2. Have you ever stand up for what is right during a conflicting situation before? If yes, what made you do so? If not, what were the challenges that were holding you back?

3. How important is it for one to have integrity? What does it mean for one to have no integrity?

Key points to take away

1. Young people tend to be greatly influenced by their friends in school so as to ‘fit in’ and hence may not necessarily do the right thing even if they feel something is wrong.

2. It is important for one to stand up for what is right even in the face of criticism, so as to experience peace of mind because we know what we have done is right.

3. A person with integrity is fair, honest with self and others, trustworthy and acts with moral courage. He has the conviction and commitment to uphold sound moral values and principles. In doing so, he also inspires others to act with integrity.

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