PeaceTalks: Handling Peer Pressure and Gangs

"In your teen years...you're never yourself...you're not you yet" says one student, eloquently summing up the dilemma of teenagerhood: ready to assume the mantle of independence, teens are also in the very process of creating themselves, and are looking to various role models. Unfortunately, too many kids are caving into peer pressure and joining gangs. In this sobering PeaceTalk, comic/youth guidance counselor Michael Pritchard (star, most recently, of Big Changes, Big Choices [VL-3/94]) talks to middle school and high school kids who candidly discuss their feelings and answer questions about hypothetical situations. The kids do not pull their punches: when queried whether they would go with a beaten-up friend to confront his attackers, one kid says "guns galore, knives for days...uh, uh," while another maintains "I go; whatever happens, happens." Ironically, as the members all agree, while kids join gangs for protection, they're likely to be on either the giving or receiving end of violence. The program explores alternatives such as choosing true friends (who won't lead you into dangerous situations), working with parents, and even the law, if necessary. PeaceTalks looks at the issues with both eyes open and no sugar-coating of the message: teens make many of their own choices; some of those choices can lead to prison or death. It's that simple. Other titles in the 10-video series include: Preventing Violence, Managing Your Anger, and Bridging Racial Divisions. Highly recommended. Aud: J, H, P. (R. Pitman)