Safe and Healthy Friendships

Peers

Peers are people of similar age who share similar interests

• The development of your identity will be influenced by many factors, including your peers.

Friendships

A friendship is a significant relationship between two people.

Common Attributes of Friendships

• Similar values, interests, beliefs, and attitudes

• Open and honest communication

• Sharing of joys, disappointments, dreams, and worries

• Mutual respect, caring, and support.

• Concern about each other’s safety and well-being.

Platonic friendships

A friendship with a member of the opposite gender in which there is affection, but the two people are not considered a couple.

• can help you understand and become comfortable with members of the opposite gender.

Communicating with Online Friends

• Avoid sharing personal information such as your phone number or address.

• Avoid sharing photos of yourself or others.

• Avoid face-to-face meetings.

• Tell an adult if an online friend suggests you do something that makes you uncomfortable

Traits of Positive Friendships

• Empathy

• Fairness

• Shared Interests

• Acceptance

• Support

• Loyalty

Friends can reinforce your values and motivate you.

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Recognizing Problems in Friendships

Friendships can have a negative effect if they influence you to engage in harmful activities

clique

A small circle of friends, usually with similar backgrounds or tastes, who exclude people viewed as outsiders.

• sometimes members show prejudice and make judgments based on stereotypes.

Prejudice

An unfair opinion or judgment of a particular group of people.

• may encourage all other group members to express the same feeling

stereotype

Exaggerated or oversimplified belief about people who belong to a certain group.

Managing Feelings of Envy or Jealousy

may arise if one friend compares himself or herself to another friend. 

• remind yourself of your unique talents and the positive aspects of your life.

Friendships Change

• When close friends grow apart, the friendship may become casual.

• As you grow older, you may develop new interests that close friends do not share. 

• It is natural for some close friendships to become casual.

• Other times, you may decide to end a friendship because it is becoming harmful. 

When Friendships Change

• Talking with a parent or guardian, or another trusted friend can help you manage your feelings about other peer relationships. 

• You should avoid gossiping about one friend to another. Focus on your feelings about the friend, and remember to use “I” messages.