Whether the need to form new friends is caused by a change in interests, getting married, a move to another city, a promotion to another level or into another profession, or even death, shifting to new friendships that serve current needs makes it possible to feel connected even if old friends are seen less frequently, if at all. But we still need friends, ranging from casual to close or best friends, and of both sexes. Friendship plays a continual role, although at different stages it will be less or more important to our emotional stability, depending upon the other primary attachments in our life. The Great Friend Approach reflected the exalted position a best friendship held in ancient times, when marriages were usually arranged or based on property and procreation rather than affection and choice, as they are today. In theory, there can be only one best friend.
Casual friends take less time to develop or maintain than close or best friendships.
In the post-adolescent years, especially if you have strong romantic or family ties, or work commitments, casual friendship may be all you can handle. As relationships become more intimate, the information shared becomes more personal. That is why, even in the best romantic relationships, interacting with friends, especially casual ones, may benefit a couple. Casual friendships, because less intimate information is shared, work well in a group or network situation. Genuine friendships have to be shared or reciprocal, but fair weather and foul weather relationships are one-sided.