Adolescents Peer relationships and friendship- Dr.K.Govindaraju.

Adolescents in SEVAI Centre Shanthi School

Adolescents Peer relationships and friendship helps adolescents develop the skills to resolve conflict and disagreements effectively said, Dr.K.Govindaraju, Director of SEVAI, in a seminar organized for the teachers of SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary school recently. Dr.K.Govindaraju added, “Peer acceptance represents social status or popularity within a large group, whereas friendships represent relationships based on mutual respect, appreciation, and liking. Early adolescence is a time characterized by friendships that share more common feelings and are more supportive than when children are younger. At the same time, adolescents who have more mutual friends are more likely to be accepted by their larger peer group. Peer acceptance and friendships are distinct constructs and contribute to adolescents’ development. Peer acceptance has been shown to be associated with greater feelings of belonging and fewer behavioral problems in adolescents, whereas, friendships have been shown to directly influence feelings of loneliness. However, both peer acceptance and friendships similarly provide adolescents with self-esteem and improved psychological adjustment. Peer relationships and friendships become more important as children grow into early adolescents. Adolescents’ friendships are associated with self-esteem and contribute to forming self-image, are related to social competence and enhanced leadership skills. Some concrete ways to promote a high quality of peer relationships/friendships in adolescents include: Nurturing social skills including anger management, fairness, and sensitivity, Allowing adolescents to develop companionship skills through literature, sports, games, and music, letting youth know and practice how to express their thoughts and emotions in socially acceptable ways, Encourage adolescents to take the perspective of others, Teaching adolescents the importance of self-disclosure and responsive listening skills, Giving opportunities for adolescents to develop empathy, Helping adolescents develop the skills to resolve conflict and disagreements effectively, Providing adolescents with opportunities for peer tutoring, Being prepared to talk with adolescents about their peers/friends whenever they have trouble with their peers/friends”.-Govin