When parents don't like their child's friends About the authors References Related books AboutOurKids related articles by Anita Gurian, Ph.D. and Alice Pope, Ph.D. Human beings are social beings. Even infants turn their heads in response to the sound of a human voice. Early in life children begin to interact with children outside the family - in child care settings, play groups, and preschool programs. The friendships children have with each other are different than those they have with parents and relatives.
Family relationships provide an ease, a closeness, a deep sense of intimacy.
But they don't substitute for other relationships. Starting young and continuing through adulthood, friendships are among the most important activities of life. Friendships are important in helping children develop emotionally and socially. They provide a training ground for trying out different ways of relating to others. Through interacting with friends, children learn the give and take of social behavior in general.