why does george resist the pressure of participating in negative activities when he is young

George's most important lessons and experiences came from his mother. She was raised on a farm, didn't like public housing, never allowed her children to know she struggled financially, and never patted them on the back for accomplishments because she expected them.... she wasn't going to reward them for what was expected. She would not tolerate George being with bad friends. She only let her son be involved with positive people.