« Controversial Topics in Middle Childhood

How do children's friendships and adult friendships differ? How are they similar?

Children's friendships differ from adult friendships by the trust factor. When children say they have a friend it is usually based on proximity such as school, neighbors, and other children they may be playing with (Rubin, 1980). The older you get the more you base your friendships off of trust and people that boost your self-esteem. They are similar in the way that you pick your friends based on someone who is loyal, trustworthy, and someone that accepts you for you. Selman found that in the Autonomous interdependence stage of friendships, children and adults learn to appreciate the differences between their friends and themselves (1980).
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