What Makes A Friend?

The traditional idea of American friendship has evolved drastically over time. In this age, no longer do you see the close group of friends chatting at the ‘Central Perk Café’ or engaging in many misadventures in the basement of Foreman’s house, such as they did in ‘That 70’s Show’. The aged image of a group of friends and their wise, perceptive teacher, Mr. Feeney, happily standing in the halls of John Quincy Adams middle school is fading out. This overused 1970’s-1990’s idea of friendship no longer applies to most American friendships today because our culture has swayed into a more modern viewpoint, due to the

There are over six billion people on Earth today. Each of those people has countless relationships, which extend further into an immense network of relations among thousands of individuals. These relations can be romantic, professional, unconditional, mutual, or the strongest of all, friendship. Friendship is a term used to denote co-operative and supportive behavior between two or more beings. In this sense, the term connotes a relationship which involves mutual knowledge, esteem, and affection and respect along with a degree of rendering service to friends in times of need or crisis. Friends will welcome each other's company and exhibit loyalty towards each other, often to the point of altruism.

Friendship is one of the most valuable components in life. Friendship has the ability to change lives in a positive way. Friendship changes people’s views on life to a more positive outlook. “True friendship is when someone knows you better than yourself and takes a position in your best interests in a crisis. Friendship goes beyond sharing time together, and it is long lasting.” (Friends.com). As we spend a lot of time with our friends, friendship opens our minds to different ways of viewing the world. Unfortunately, sometimes strong barriers may be placed by those who see two people’s friendship as a threat; since people are influenced by their friends, friendship could make people question what

“We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, that is a last drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindness there is at last one which makes the heart run over” (Bradbury, 71)

From humanity comes friendship, but friendship may not be as one-dimensional and simplistic as the common person believes it to be- it may not stop at the surface level. In David Whyte’s book, Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words, he writes on friendship, exposing the true facets of an authentic friendship that oftentimes are overlooked by many people. In Whyte’s opinion, friendship is an eternal experience, or at least an experience in which people take part over an extended period of time. The need for continuous support and forgiveness from and for both parties in a friendship presupposes this prolonged temporality. Naturally, as friendships take constant conscious effort, they require interest

In kindergarten, children gave each other colorful beaded bracelets to symbolize their everlasting friendships. “Best friends forever!” they cheered during recess— ignorant to the tragic reality that they would eventually travel their separate ways. Although friendships are full of happiness and laughter, they also consist of sadness and tears. In fact, the majority of individuals would agree that breaking up with a friend is significantly worse than breaking up with a significant other. With a friend, you develop a In Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle claims that friendship is extremely crucial to life. John Donne’s “No Man is an Island” acknowledges Aristotle’s idea of friendship whereas Paul Simon’s “I am a Rock” refutes it.

Friendship is something most people have experienced, but there is an uncertain path the two friends will follow into the building or demise of their relationship. Maintaining a good relationship is something that is very hard to do, as there is likely to be many mental obstacles to avoid. This element in friend relationships is shown all throughout the book, A Separate Peace, by John Knowles. One of the main messages that is relayed in the book is that friendship is a delicate element that requires care to maintain and that the competition and jealousy in the relationship can really impact the future friendship.

I do not consider myself to be anybody’s best friend. While I do have many friends that I consider myself to be close with (and I’d like to believe they opposite is true), the school year has just started and many friendships that existed last year may or may not fade away as time passes by. This is because friendships are mainly built on conversations shared daily, whether they be in the classroom or outside on social media. Even if one person is reluctant to hold a conversation, then the bonds of friendship will slowly and steadily break apart due to the lack of sustained interaction on a daily basis. Communication is paramount to ensuring that a relationship is maintained. In my case, I do not believe I interact with anyone on a daily basis enough to be considered “best friends.” Sure, I would consider many people I’m acquainted with good friends, but that is the extent of our friendship. On the other hand, I have several good friends because we have relatively good chemistry. Successful interaction with one another has led to a mutual desire to sustain our friendships.

In “Friendship in an Age of Economics” by Todd May, friendship is defined as different types of relationships. Todd May starts the article off with a story of him being in the hospital. A friend of his had come by and sat with him for some time. May then goes into the different types of relationships and friendships. He finishes off the article with this quote, “To be able to sit by the bed of another, watching him sleep, waiting for nothing else, is to understand where else we might be”. This quote is very meaningful because it reflects on one of the true meanings of friendship. You should be able to be with that person regardless of the situation, you should always be there for your friend, and supporting

"If I don't see you on the other side," he said in a sappy voice, "remember that I love you.” (pg. 112) and “Thank you for being my friends” (pg.84). I can absolutely comprehend with the importance of friendship. Without friendship, my life would be gloomy and unmeaningful. Thomas relied on his friend when he experiences grief and stress, so do I! The importance of friendship developed my outstanding kindness, happiness, and motivation to forget the negativity and embrace the positivity. Friendship also gave me a purpose in life, motivating me to achieve success and ignore the stress; friends are why I’m excited for

It takes two friends actively being friends to each other for the relational good of friendship to occur (Fowers, 2005). In real life there is no taking turns in “doing” friendship between friends because it is a shared good.

Friends should support each other at all times. In anything friends do, they should respect each other's opinions and support each other. Not only must friends be supportive of one another, there should also be a sympathetic tone when needed. Friends should not only listen, but also understanding needs to take place, as well as help. When a friend is in need, you are waiting for him as he would be waiting for you. If a friend is not sympathetic and aware of your needs, then there is a weak friendship. Each should know his friend's goals, needs, and wants. If these things are not known, then there is a weak relationship. Friends should set goals together to help develop a strong relationship. They can even help each other along the way. One person's weakness could be another friend's strength. A person needs to be loved, and that is what a friend does. A friend needs to be respected as well as loved. Not only should a friend's needs be fulfilled, but also certain wants. A friend wants a person who will listen, love, and show respect, just as anybody would. A friend is also loyal and trustworthy. When friends talk to one another, it is known that the conversation should just be between them, especially if it is personal to either of them. Neither person should share any of the information with someone else. That is just like invading someone's privacy when you repeat something that a friend tells you without permission. You should be able to confide in and

So the social structures, divisions and agencies which underpin society influence friendships. Analysis has identified many different types and formations of friendship of varying degrees of intimacy. Perhaps the key to understanding friendship is to understand that different friendships thrive in accordance with the different needs of each person, and that finding a person who or a friendship which meets personal expectations is where the relevance lies. A ‘symbolic interactionist’ sociological approach to future research would ascertain how that understanding between two people is reached. So, friendship exists within the social and economic context in which it was formed, and if this context alters, so does the nature of the friendship. The way in which humans manage and create friendships reacts to changes and evolves in order to sustain itself as part of the human condition. This is evidence of the value and necessity of human connection, be it friends or family, to the life experience. Studying friendship provides knowledge of social developments and changes. This is valuable in understanding human interaction and future policy within health and

In life there are many changes that can cause a true friendship to go wary such as marriage, divorce, birth of children, new careers, and sickness. However, through each of those events the two must remember to keep the intimacy, the letting down of emotional barriers and the expression of innermost thoughts and feelings, “that which makes friendships thrive must be an enjoyable one” and to “always interact” (Karbo 3). Although psychologists continue to research the formation of friendships the great philosopher Aristotle knew exactly how friendships formed and how the lasted.

A friend is someone difficult to find. A friend is someone you can always count on when times are tough. The dictionary's definition of a good friend is a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard. A good friend is there when you are struggling. For example, when a boy breaks your heart a good friend walks you through it and offers a shoulder to cry on. According to Bree Neff, a good friend is someone who is trustworthy, doesn't talk behind your back, listens to your problems, gives good advice and tries to lend humor along with his or her support. There are also bad friends, those who pretend to care and then turn around gossiping and starting drama. Good and bad friends are all around you, involved in