Social Relationships - Essay Example

We shared ideas at that level and friendship seemed long-lasting. However, joining high school was a different case. high school was totally a new environment. New friends came up and I had t make hookups with new friends. All those we could share the same classes, same units and dorms became my intimate friends. Specifically, my closest friends were my classmates with whom we shared cubes and classes. As the days passed by and approached choice of future careers, friends changed as well. Those with whom we shared common ideas before had unique careers hence different units pursue. Hence I found new friends too. When we finished high school, we got different grades, and we joined different universities and colleges to pursue different careers. Everybody went on his way to pursue his/her career. This weakened further the friendship and other new friends sprout up. From middle school till now, friends have changed. My first friends and my current friends are totally different.

From the dynamics of friendship, it is evident that friendship changes very often and it is rare to get a long-lasting friend whom you start from pre-school to university. Friends are subject to the choice of careers in life and line of profession. Those with whom you share things in common become your closest friends and those with whom you have nothing much to share are distant automatically.

Question 2
Maintaining alive friendship is not easy. It is volatile and more often it has rewards and punishments. Indeed to appreciate somebody’s strengths and weaknesses call for sacrifice. In essence, people have different personalities and to accept them to influence your life is challenging. According to social exchange theory, friendship is driven by decisions. Both parties are responsible for one another and entirely depend on each other. However, costs and rewards are associated with decisions made. Usually, I dedicate my precious time to my friends. This time we could use to chat and implement constructive ideas and enjoy together. My efforts, time and money make my companion costly. However, I reward them fully. I reward them by accepting their strengths and weaknesses, supporting them morally, financially, emotionally and in any other way possible.

For effective communication, I focus completely on their body language and their expressions when they are speaking. This motivates them to express themselves better. Avoiding judging them when they express their ideas is another effective way of enhancing communication. Friends have different ideas, values and opinions and you do not agree with all. However, I appreciate them and correct them respectively. Lastly, I show a lot of interest in them as they express themselves. This enhances effective communication.

Some maintenance relationship strategies are:
Positivity: This is being optimistic to your friend for a secure future.
Assurance: this is an affirmation for support for friends in difficult times.
Openness: This is being open to disclose one’s feelings, concerns and confidence.
Task sharing: this is sharing positive plans and sharing problems when they arise. Read More