Emotional support
›Reassurance,acceptance,understanding
Models for imitation
›Teach social andemotional skills
Opportunities topractice roles
›Time for growth andnew experiences
Most teens find it easier tobe friends with the sameage and the sameinterests
›Don’t miss out onopportunities to be friendswith children; they look up toteens
›Children want to imitateteens
›You as a teen can learnresponsibility to understandtheir needs and how tomeet them.
Male to male
›Tend to share interestsand activities with friends
Opposite genderfriendships
›Can help see issues fromthat gender’s point ofview
Female to female
›Like to share personalconcerns and emotionalintimate feeling
Adult friendships
›Older adults offer benefits oftheir experiences as well aspersonal friendships.
›They can help put yourproblems into properperspective and you as ateen can give themcompanionship
Other backgrounds
›Can bring insights andinformation that you mightnot normally encounter
This can bedifficult whenthe followingare a factor:
›Shy
›Low self-esteem
›Lack ofexperience
You need to realize that you are worthyof being a friend; you have qualities andabilities that people will appreciate
You may fear rejection when taking thefirst step
Realize that nothing is lost by trying
Keep trying until you find what works foryou
Smile
Speak first
Introduce yourself
Ask simple questionsto get things started
Give sincerecompliments
Focus on othersinstead of yourself
Friendly and cheerful
Courteous
Clean, neat, well-groomed
Interest in otherpeople
A good listener
Easy to get alongwith
Good sense ofhumor
Part-time job
Community events
Community centers
Become a volunteer
School functions
Develop a newinterest
Join a team
Oldest and strongest friendships requirethe most work
›Tend to take each other for granted
›You become less kind and considerate
›Accept friends
›Encourage friends in their goals/praise them
›Apologize when you hurt friends
›Be loyal, reliable and share with each other
Mutual give and take in the relationship
Does not mean that you will alwaysagree on everything with your friend
Honesty is also an important part offriendship
Need to respect each other and acceptdifference of opinions
Peer pressure – attempt to influencesomeone in a similar age group
›May be positive or negative
›True friends do not ask a friend to dosomething that they are uncomfortable with
›No one can make you do something you donot want to do
When you want to be accepted and aresensitive to criticism this becomes difficult
Handling peer pressure
›High self esteem helps to see properperspective
Competition
›Can be healthy or hazardous
Popularity – to be liked and acceptedby many
›Develop positive traits and care aboutothers
›Don’t worry about trying to be popular
Loneliness
›Do not have to be alone to be lonely
›“Giving in” to these feelings increases thefeeling
›Friendships is sharing weaknesses as well asstrengths
›Loneliness must be overcome with action
›Feel afraid others will not accept them
This causes them to withdraw
Groups that becomeexclusive,deliberatelyrejecting people
May scorn or ignoreothers outside theclique
Can cause hurtfeelings
Happensbecausepeople growand change
The friendshave less incommon
If a friendship is causing youtrouble/affecting your life…
›End the friendship
When specific problems occur…
›Deal directly with the friend
Break off a friendship with tact andconcern
›Express feelings without blaming or judgingthe other person
Feel sad
Feel lonely
Maybe guilty orblame self
Time helps lessenpain
Do you have the qualities ofa good friend?
