Michael is 14 years old. He sometimes carries a knife for protection and typically drinks a lot of beer during parties at friend's houses when their parents are not home. His anger triggers are having someone insult or disrespect a friend. He goes to a party with his friend, Jalen, where he is offered beer.
What should Michael do?
Chug the beer and the rest of the 6-pack like usual.
Take the beer and sip it slowly throughout the night limiting himself to only one.
Think about the risk of drinking—I am more easily angered—and decline, saying he has a cold and drink a Pepsi instead.
Later during the party, he feels angry when another teen insults or disrespects his friend Jalen.
What should Michael do?
Think about where the other teen is coming from—perhaps he was just joking—and ignore him and go to another room in the party.
Push the teen and tell him if he insults his friend, he will take him outside and set him straight.
Think about his options, and the consequences—If I push him, he might push back, then I flash my knife, then he may take out a weapon also. I don't want to fight, get hurt, get killed. I can't afford to get in more trouble—and decide to leave the party before it gets out of hand. Say, "I don't like to hear my friend dissed. We're out of here."
