Friendship
READINGS
Good Friends Are Good for You
http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/good-friends-are-good-for-you
Just Between Friends
http://www.ohio.edu/research/communications/Friendship.cfm
Research: Human friendships based on genetic similarities beyond the superficial
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/research-human-friendships-based-on-genetic-similarities-beyond-the-superficial/2014/07/14/8aea04fe-0ab5-11e4-8c9a-923ecc0c7d23_story.html
The Importance of Friendship
http://psychcentral.com/lib/the-importance-of-friendship/0001381
5 Things You Can Learn About Friendship From Oprah and Gayle
http://friendship.about.com/od/Friendship-In-Culture/a/What-You-Can-Learn-About-Friendship-From-Oprah-And-Gayle.htm
Friendship Quotes
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_friendship.html
http://www.quotegarden.com/friendship.html
VIDEOS
Can Men and Women Be Just Friends? | The Science of Love (subtitled)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsFJFfegkj4
The Importance of Friends for Women Over 60
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvyNyZqUa4M
Discussion Questions
- Who is/are your best friend(s)? Why are you so close? In what ways are you similar or different?
- What do you think are the most important ingredients of a lasting friendship?
- How long does it take to become a ‘best’ friend?
- How would you categorize your different groups of friends?
- What are the most enjoyable or meaningful things you do with your close friends?
- What’s the difference between old friends and new friends?
- Do you enjoy the process of making new friends? Do you think you make new friends easily?
- Do you argue with your friends sometimes? What about?
- Have you ever been betrayed by a friend? Have you ever betrayed a friend?
- What do you remember about your elementary school friendships? high school? university?
- What do you think is different about friendships among men, among women, and between the two?
- How does having a boyfriend or girlfriend affect your friendships?
- How would you describe the difference in your feelings for friends vs. your feelings for family?
- Do you think there are cultural variables to friendship? How is friendship someone from your culture different from a friendship between someone who is not?