Do you need this or any other assignment done for you from scratch?
We have qualified writers to help you.
We assure you a quality paper that is 100% free from plagiarism and AI.
You can choose either format of your choice ( Apa, Mla, Havard, Chicago, or any other)
NB: We do not resell your papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.
NB: All your data is kept safe from the public.
Friends are a treasure in a changing world; they provide a comforting sense of stability and support. Friendships dissolve not because people abandon them voluntarily but because individuals develop other priorities and commitments as they age (Bagci et al. 773). The speed and busyness of adult life are such that people quickly lose contact with their old friends. A study by Dutch sociologist Gerald Mollenhorst found that within seven years, those observed stopped communicating with, on average, half of their closest friends (Bagci et al. 773). At the same time, at a more adult age, many people start to forget the need to invite new persons into their lives. It is a misconception that once they have formed their own close circle of communication, they no longer need to extend beyond it. Thus, as individuals grow older, they should try to create new relationships rather than attempting to focus on old friendships.
There are other reasons that solidify the need to expand the number of acquaintances and friends at an older age. Friendship in old age is associated with higher levels of pleasure and satisfaction with life (Ng et al.). Friends are better than other social partners in offering company for free time, creating and maintaining personal significance and identity, and providing assistance and psychological support. Friendship interactions with older persons are more pleasurable in comparison to other people. The reason is that older people are more like to expand the horizon of the person they are interacting with. Time allows the accumulation of more valuable experiences that could be shared during such interactions.
Friendships during adulthood play an important role in the life of an individual. Most friendship bonds are formed during education, where people are forced to attend the same classes. Although there are benefits in such interactions in adulthood, most of the connections follow individual choice, except for workspace. However, workspace friendship is necessary for the improvement in individual quality of life. For instance, friendship with co-workers provides motivation, increases job happiness and productivity (Mann). Employees who have close work friendships are happy and are less likely to change jobs (Mann). They have reduced stress levels in challenging conditions and are less likely to experience burnout due to the support of their colleagues.
In contrast to workspace, shared interests remain primary points for connection between individuals. Some people have difficulty talking about themselves or having a simple chat about life. A shared passion draws individuals together for a similar goal, and it is typically in the pursuit of that goal that friendships are formed. Sharing a hobby or understanding the topic of talk ahead of time relieves the burden of a conversation and allows individuals to feel not alone in their interests.
Nevertheless, the other clear difference between early childhood friends and adulthood friends is the difference in experience. New acquaintances formed at an older age are refreshing as they introduce a person to a set of unknown experiences and perspectives. They could distract individuals from their routines and experience fresh and vivid emotions because of the feeling of exploration. It might be said that it brings forth the often-suppressed adventurous spirit within people. These acquaintances may introduce the person to their favorite leisure activities and overturn traditional or long-established perspectives on life and living. For example, the friendship between people with different personalities and job positions allows combined exploration of various themes for discussion. If one were to be an extroverted social media influencer and the other to be an introverted office clerk, they may review the differences in their job and be exposed to new knowledge.
Friendships can significantly impact a person’s health and well-being, but developing or maintaining friendships is not always easy. Understanding the essence of social connections and what a person can do to develop and nurture a lasting friendship is essential. The quality of friendship could be detrimental to personal health. Friends participate in major events of a person’s life and often share their meaningful experiences. The celebration of victories or the consolation during the loss is accompanied by friends. They separate people from depression, loneliness, and isolation which drastically improves one’s mental health.
In detail, friendships can increase a sense of belonging, purpose, and happiness, reduce stress, and build self-confidence and self-esteem. It has long been known in psychology that friends can help to overcome traumas such as divorce, serious illness, job loss, or the death of a loved one. Good friendship promotes healthy habits by encouraging people to change or avoid unhealthy lifestyles such as excessive alcohol consumption and lack of exercise. However, many adults find it challenging to make new friendships or maintain existing friendships. Friendships can take a backseat to other priorities, such as work, caring for children, or aging parents. Therefore, it is necessary to put effort into the development of friendship for pleasure and comfort that is worth the investment.
Works Cited
Bagci, Sabahat, et al. “Cross‐Group Friendships and Psychological Well‐Being: A Dual Pathway Through Social Integration and Empowerment.” British Journal of Social Psychology, vol. 57, no. 4, 2018, pp. 773-792.
Mann, By Annamarie. “Why We Need Best Friends at Work.”Gallup.Com, 2022.
Ng, Yee To, et al. “Friendships in Old Age: Daily Encounters and Emotional Well-Being.”The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, edited by Deborah Carr, vol. 76, no. 3, 2020, pp. 551–62. Crossref.
Do you need this or any other assignment done for you from scratch?
We have qualified writers to help you.
We assure you a quality paper that is 100% free from plagiarism and AI.
You can choose either format of your choice ( Apa, Mla, Havard, Chicago, or any other)
NB: We do not resell your papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.
NB: All your data is kept safe from the public.