Meta Description: Learn two important social skills that can positively influence lifestyle choices among adolescents, with practical examples relevant to South African learners.
Written by: OtherSyde Group
Editorial focus: Life Orientation, social skills and healthy lifestyle choices in South Africa
Experience/Expertise note: This article is based on South African Life Orientation curriculum guidance and practical examples. The Department of Basic Education includes informed decision-making, peer pressure, relationships and healthy lifestyle choices among relevant Life Orientation topics.
Introduction
Social skills influence how people communicate, respond to pressure and interact with others. For adolescents, these skills can have an important effect on lifestyle choices because friends, family, school and the wider community can influence everyday decisions.
The South African Life Orientation curriculum encourages learners to develop skills that help them make informed choices about health, relationships and personal lifestyle.
Two social skills that can positively influence lifestyle choices are communication and decision-making/problem-solving.
1. Communication Skills
Good communication helps a person express their thoughts, feelings and opinions clearly.
For example, a teenager may be pressured by friends to smoke, drink alcohol or participate in another unhealthy activity. A learner with good communication skills can confidently say no, explain their decision and seek help from a trusted adult when necessary.
Communication can also help adolescents:
- Ask questions when they do not understand something.
- Seek advice from parents, teachers or other trusted people.
- Express their feelings appropriately.
- Resolve disagreements peacefully.
- Build healthy friendships.
- Resist negative peer pressure.
The South African Department of Basic Education includes topics such as relationships, peer pressure, positive values and healthy choices within Life Orientation resources.
2. Decision-Making and Problem-Solving Skills
Decision-making and problem-solving skills help a person consider different options before choosing what to do.
For example, a learner may have to decide whether to spend their free time participating in sport or joining friends in an activity that could negatively affect their health. By considering the possible consequences, the learner can make a healthier choice.
These skills encourage a person to:
- Identify the problem.
- Consider the available choices.
- Think about the possible consequences.
- Seek reliable information or advice.
- Choose the most appropriate option.
- Take responsibility for the decision.
The South African Life Orientation curriculum specifically includes informed decision-making and appropriate responses to influences on personal lifestyle choices.
Comparison
| Social skill | How it influences lifestyle choices | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | Helps a person express opinions and resist negative pressure | Saying no when friends encourage unhealthy behaviour |
| Decision-making and problem-solving | Helps a person consider options and consequences | Choosing exercise and healthy activities instead of risky behaviour |
Practical Example
Illustrative example:
A Grade 10 learner in South Africa is encouraged by friends to skip school and spend the day somewhere else.
The learner uses communication skills to explain that they do not want to miss classes. They then use decision-making skills to consider the possible consequences of skipping school, such as falling behind with schoolwork or facing disciplinary consequences.
The learner chooses to remain at school.
In this situation, both social skills contribute to a responsible lifestyle choice.
OtherSyde Group’s Practical Perspective
A useful way to understand social skills is to see them as tools that help young people respond to everyday situations.
Knowing that a choice is unhealthy is not always enough. A learner may also need the confidence to communicate their decision and the ability to think through the consequences before acting.
Developing these skills can therefore help adolescents handle peer pressure, relationships and difficult situations more responsibly.
Where to Find Related Information for Full Verification
For South African curriculum information, learners and educators can consult the Department of Basic Education, which provides official Life Orientation curriculum materials and resources. The department’s curriculum covers personal development, social responsibility, health, decision-making and lifestyle choices.
The Department of Basic Education also provides Life Orientation resources covering topics such as peer pressure, relationships, healthy choices and communication.
Conclusion
Two important social skills that can positively influence lifestyle choices are communication and decision-making/problem-solving.
Communication helps adolescents express themselves, seek help and resist negative peer pressure. Decision-making and problem-solving help them consider their options and consequences before making choices.
Together, these skills can help South African learners make healthier, safer and more responsible decisions in everyday life.