Friendships Across The Life Stages

Question 1

Childhood relationships:

Answer 1

Form relationships based on play.

Question 2

Adolescence and adults:

Answer 2

Relationships can mean more than friendships. This requires new skills.
As children mature into adolescence and adulthood they develop empathy, so develop meaningful relationships.

Question 3

What is the difference between informal and formal relationships?

Answer 3

Informal relationships develop within families and friendships.
They are built on trust and understanding.
They promote positive self-concept.
Whereas…
Formal relationships develop in different context between people who are not related or friends e.g. work colleagues.
Do not involve emotional attachments.
Children who have positive relationships with family and others are likely to be successful in developing effective formal relationships.

Question 4

Infancy:

(0-2 years):

Answer 4

Interacting with carers:
Two months = smile at people.
Three months = respond to adults.
Five months = tell the difference between familiar and unfamiliar people.
Emotional attachment to carer and play alongside other children (parallel play).

Question 5

Childhood:

(3-8 years):

Answer 5

First social learning:
Dependent on the adults that care for them.
Begin to learn social roles within family context.
Explore social relationships through play with other children.
Cooperate with other children.
Become increasingly independent and become to form friendships based on mutual trust.
Form social networks or circles of friends.

Question 6

Adolescence:

(9-18 years):

Answer 6

Secondary social learning:
Self-worth is more influenced by peers than family.
Copy the styles of dress, beliefs, culture values and behaviours of their own network of friends.
Develop their own sexuality (puberty).
Full independence from the family.

Question 7

Adulthood:

(19-65 years):

Answer 7

Maturity:
Dominated by forming intimate partnerships.
Marriage and parenthood represent major social developments in their life.
Experience time pressures between work, parenting and social activities, social activity may be limited.

Question 8

Older adulthood:

65+ years

Answer 8

Following retirement older adults have more free time to develop friendships through taking up new hobbies.
Although they may choose to increase involvement with close friends and family rather than extend their social contacts.