Nature of Adolescents’ Friendships, Research Paper Example

Adolescents go through considerable changes both physically and mentally in the process of growth and development (Bucher, 2006). In the event of development, these changes affect the way they behave personally and when in a diverse environment. The pertinent issue in the nature of adolescents’ friendships is the difference between boys and girls, they vary in their development thus, friendships (Joe, 2007).

At adolescent age, boys and girls are more social and tend to interact with others frequently. It is however, common to feature girls in smaller groups in their interactions while boys are more ordained to large groups. The common thing about them is that they spend most of the time interacting with peers than parents (Advocates for Youth).

The theory of cognitive development analyzes the development of adolescents highlighting that it is a stage of life where the adolescents achieve self-esteem influencing their relations with others (Joe, 2007). At this age, the adolescents develop loyalty, intimacy, and faithfulness with a particular group of friends who share common attributes. Boys are known to be more gang oriented with an influence of peer pressure while girls maintain more of a conservative nature (Bucher, 2006).

Piaget explains further that at this age adolescent’s development transpires out of an action. That is what differentiates boys and girls relations and coined friendships (Bucher, 2006). Their respective ability to display feelings of intimacy and loyalty to particular friends emanates from the influence of others in the actions they feature in performing (Advocates for Youth). The stage incorporates a higher level of thoughts with developed reasoning skills, ethical ability and moral that develops their ability to perceive the outcomes of respective actions. Therefore, the adolescents’ nature of friendship depends on each individual’s perception on who to befriend (Joe, 2007).

References

Advocates for Youth “Growth and Development, Ages 13-17” from,  http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Growth_Ages_13_17/

Bucher, M. (2006). Developmental Characteristics during Adolescence. Retrieved August 23, 2006, from http://www.education.com/reference/article/developmental-during-adolescence/

Joe, B.  (2007). Understanding Adolescents. Retrieved November 6, 2007, from http://middle-school-life.suite101.com/article.cfm/understanding_adolescents