Friendship

Friendship is a relationship of mutual affection between people. It is a stronger bond than being an acquaintance or an association. An acquaintance might be a neighbor or a coworker. A friend is someone you choose to be with. These bonds involve enjoying time together and providing support. People study friendship in many fields like sociology and psychology. They also look at it through philosophy and anthropology.

Children develop friendships through specific stages of growth. They often focus on shared activities and physical proximity. Young children use cues like sharing snacks to identify friends. They also rely on similarity in gender or food preferences. As children mature, they develop empathy and learn to play in groups. Researcher Eileen Kennedy-Moore identifies three ingredients for forming these bonds: openness, similarity, and shared fun. She also outlines five developmental stages. These stages move from "I Want It My Way" to "Friends Through Thick and Thin."

During adolescence, the nature of friendship shifts significantly. These relationships become more spontaneous, frank, and supportive. Instead of just being near someone, teens seek peers with similar morals and values. They prioritize loyalty and shared interests. A large study of American adolescents looked at how friendships relate to behavior. Adolescents with friends who do well in school often avoid problematic behaviors. They might avoid drinking or participate in many school activities. However, in late adolescence, cross-racial friendships can be uncommon due to prejudice.

Adulthood brings new challenges and benefits to social bonds. Friendships provide companionship and emotional support. These connections contribute to better mental well-being and physical health. However, the workplace can make forming deep bonds difficult. Competition at work may cause people to hide their true selves. Some work relationships feel transactional rather than personal. A 2023 Pew Research Center survey found that 8% of respondents had no close friends. Another 7% reported having only one close friend.

Older adults experience different social patterns as they age. While the total number of friends often declines, personal satisfaction remains high. This is explained by Socioemotional Selectivity Theory. This theory suggests that as people age, they shift from gathering information to emotional regulation. They restrict their social groups to those with strong emotional bonds. These close ties can help reduce the decline of cognitive abilities. Strong friendships also help older adults stay connected to their communities.

Maintaining a friendship requires effort and specific shared traits. Professor Jeffery Hall notes that friendships often rely on six tacit expectations. These include positive regard, where friends genuinely like each other. Self-disclosure allows friends to discuss deep personal topics. Instrumental aid involves helping each other in practical ways. Similarity means having similar worldviews or life experiences. Enjoyment means it is fun to spend time together. Finally, agency involves sharing valuable information or skills.

Friendships can also change or end unexpectedly. This process is called dissolution. Sometimes friendships end because of natural changes over time. People may grow distant physically or emotionally. Other times, a sudden shock like incompatible values causes a split. This can feel like a personal rejection and cause stress. However, the negative effects can be lessened by forming new close relationships. People also show different preferences based on gender. Women often prioritize emotional support and disclosure. Men may place more value on status or physical aid.