Need a Friend?

Friendship is simply described as a situation in which one is emotionally attached to another person, resulting from feelings of affection. On another hand, it is a warm and intimate relationship with someone you like and trust. Friendship does not and ought not to involve any sexual interaction of any kind.
Friendship is a very important kind of relationship we form in life. Friendship affords individual the opportunity to know, trust and depend on each other for affection, acceptance and support. It is the first and most important relationship we establish outside the family.

(a)    Basis of friendship
(i)    Mutual respect – relating with others with honour, personal values, understanding etc.
(ii)    Accepting other people the way they are – Not attempting to change or impose your expectations on them.
(iii)    Honest communication – Being truthful about the information you give them.
(iv)    Consistent support for one another even when in distress.
(v)    Common interest and values
(vi)    Similar age grade
(vii)    Common gender

(b)    Sources of friendship
(i)    Peer group
(ii)    Neighbourhood
(iii)    School
(iv)    Religious gathering
(v)    Workplace
(vi)    Playground
(vii)    Social gathering e.g. party
(c)    Qualities that enhance friendship
(i)    Forgiveness
(ii)    Trust
(iii)    Loyalty
(iv)    Cooperation
(v)    Honesty
(vi)    Shared interest
(vii)    Regular support
(viii)    Empathy
(ix)    Respect
(x)    Understanding
(xi)    Affection

(d)    Importance of friendship
(i)    It creates an avenue for learning social skills.
(ii)    A platform for sharing experiences and insights.
(iii)    It promotes self-esteem
(iv)    It helps in building self-confidence
(v)    It is an avenue for catching fun, caring and sharing.
(vi)    It promotes mutual respect.
(vii)    It helps in developing in individual inter-personal communication skills.

(e)    Ways of improving friendship
(i)    By engaging group activities.
(ii)    Sharing information together.
(iii)    Exchanging gifts.
(iv)    Sharing goals and aspirations.
(v)    Visiting each other’s families and friends.
(vi)    Dating, but must not involve any form of sexual interaction.
(vii)    Supporting one another in times of trouble.
(viii)    Making positive comments about each other.

(f)    Behaviour that could affect friendship
(i)    Gossiping
(ii)    Disclosing confidential information
(iii)    Bullying
(iv)    Peer pressure
(v)    Dishonesty
(vi)    Suspicion
(vii)    Disrespect
(viii)    Misunderstanding