Friendships

Friendships can be fantastic, but they also can be tough at times. The main thing to remember is that good friends support you, respect you, and like you for who you really are! Keep reading for answers to some common questions about friendship on this page:

• What are true friends?
• How can I handle peer pressure?
• How can I cope with cliques?
• How can I handle a fight with a friend?
• When should I end a friendship?

In the rest of this section, you can also learn about what to do if your parents don't like your friends, how to help a friend in need, making new friends, and connecting with friends online.
 

What are true friends? top

True friends:

• Want you to be happy
• Care what you have to say
• Encourage and support you
• Accept you for who you are
• Are happy for you when you do well
• Apologize when they make a mistake
• Give you advice in a caring way
• Keep personal things between the two of you
• Don't pressure you to do things that make you feel uncomfortable

How can I handle peer pressure? top

Peer pressure is when you do something because friends talk you into it or because you think everyone else is doing it.

It can be hard to resist peer pressure. Try to remember that real friends stand by you even if you say "No". Get inspiration and tips for being a great friend and a strong person.

When it's time to stand up for what you believe, be assertive. That means you calmly and politely say what you want (or don't want). You don't need to criticize what the other person is doing. Just keep it simple, like "No, thanks." Check out these smart comebacks to offers of drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes.

If you're having trouble handling peer pressure, talk to your parents or a trusted adult. Not sure how to start? You could ask them if they ever had to handle peer pressure when they were young.

How can I cope with cliques? top

It's natural to have a group of friends who share things in common. But a clique is a group of friends that is very picky — and even mean — about who can join it.

If you are being left out by a clique, try to make friends with people who care about you. It feels good to be liked for who you really are! You can read more about handling cliques and get tips for making new friends.

How can I handle a fight with a friend? top

You won't always agree with friends. That's natural. But you should always respect each other's thoughts and feelings.

Sometimes, a conflict can really hurt or last a long time. How can you cope? Think about whether your friendship is healthy and worth trying to save. If so, you can try some give and take and tips for dealing with conflict. You also can learn ways to handle feeling sad.

When should I end a friendship? top

Sadly, not all friendships last a lifetime. Sometimes friends just grow apart naturally. Sometimes you might need to end a friendship. Signs you should end a friendship include that the person:

• Is mean to you or treats you badly
• Tells your secrets
• Often goes after someone you are dating or like 
• Does not want you to have other friends
• Does not listen to you
• Pushes you to do dangerous things
• Blames you for problems in his or her life
• Often tries to control what you do

How do you end a relationship? Sometimes, you can just stop being in touch with your friend. That's a good idea if the person has been emotionally or physically abusive.

Other times, a direct talk with the other person is better. That way, your friend won't be confused about what's happening. Also, if you point out the problem, you give the person a chance to change.

 

Content last reviewed September 16, 2015
Page last updated November 02, 2015

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