Age and Gender Dimensions of Friendship

Abstract

Since stereotypes about appropriate social behavior appear to influence questionnaires and other self-reported data concerning friendship, an in-depth interview format was used to explore gender and age differences in friendship patterns. Thirty-one subjects were interviewed: five young males, six young females, five midlife males, five midlife females, five older males, and five older females. As in our previous questionnaire studies, groups described friendship in superficially similar ways. However, in the taped interviews, large gender differences appeared that followed conceptually along instrumental/expressive dimensions. Women at all ages were more expressive in their friendships, showing higher levels of empathy and altruism than men. Age differences also appeared, with men developing increased concern and thoughtfulness in friendship with greater age, and women showing more tolerance and less confrontation of their friends with greater age. 1974) through adolescence and on into adulthood and old age has received

Friendship Skills of Students with Learning Disabilities in Jordan from the Perspectives of Their Teachers and the Effect of Some Variables on It

“…This result disagrees with results of these studies: [57]). The result of the current study disagrees with results of previous studies which indicated that there are differences in friendship due to age.…”

“…There are studies that have indicated differences in friendship skills due to age (Kuhne, 1999 [57]). Kuhne's study (1999) [8] indicates that friendship in adolescence is more stable than in childhood.…”

The good soldier: who is s(he)?

“…This awareness of and concern for`others' ®ts feminine stereotypes, where females typically are seen as more aware of other's feelings and needs, and as better able to see the perspective of others (e.g., Carey et al, 1988;Davis, 1983;Dobbins, 1985;Fox et al, 1985;Hanson and Mullis, 1985;Rosnowska, 1985;Santilli and Hudson, 1992). This stereotype is consistent with the stronger association of empathy and perspective taking of females as opposed to males (Davis, 1983;Litvack-Miller et al, 1997).…”

“…Implicit in this characterization is the notion that instrumental behaviors are self-oriented, while expressive behaviors are other-oriented (de Beauvoir, 1952;Flax, 1983;Gilligan, 1982;Gilligan et al, 1988). In general, the expressive end of the continuum is exempli®ed by stereotypically feminine traits and behaviors such as empathy, perspective taking, concern for others (e.g., Carey et al, 1988;Dobbins, 1985;Eagly and Karau, 1991;Fox et al, 1985;Hanson and Mullis, 1985;Rosnowska, 1985;Santilli and Hudson, 1992), altruism and helping, (Gilligan et al, 1988;Held, 1990;Ridgeway, 1991), and emotionality (Stoppard and Grunchy, 1993). In contrast, the instrumental end of the continuum is exempli®ed by stereotypically masculine traits such as competitiveness, aggression, and ambition (Berger et al, 1980;Ely, 1994;Lockheed and Hall, 1976;Meeker and Weitzel-O'Neill, 1977;Schein and Mueller, 1992).…”

The Relationship Between Online Video Game Involvement and Gaming-Related Friendships Among Emotionally Sensitive Individuals

“…As gender 62,63 and age 64 differences are often found on gamerelated issues, and can influence the size of one's friendship circle, 65,66 these variables were held as covariates in all of the following analyses.…”