4  Cultural and Societal Influences

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4.1 Cultural norms and expectations

📖 Different cultures have different norms and expectations around friendship, which can influence how people make and maintain friends.

4.1.1 In some cultures, it is considered important to have a large social network and to maintain close ties with extended family and friends. In other cultures, it is more common to have a smaller group of close friends and to focus on building strong relationships with a few people.

• Belief:
  • The way that we make and maintain friends is influenced by the cultural norms and expectations of our society.
• Rationale:
  • For example, in cultures that emphasize collectivism, people are more likely to value group membership and to conform to social expectations. In these cultures, it is common to make friends through shared activities and group affiliations.
• Prominent Proponents:
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• Counterpoint:
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4.1.2 In individualistic cultures, people are more likely to value personal autonomy and self-expression. In these cultures, it is more common to make friends based on shared interests and values.

• Belief:
  • Cultural norms and expectations can influence the way that we make and maintain friends.
• Rationale:
  • For example, in cultures that emphasize individualism, people are more likely to value personal autonomy and self-expression. In these cultures, it is common to make friends based on shared interests and values.
• Prominent Proponents:
  • TODO
• Counterpoint:
  • TODO

4.2 Social media and technology

📖 Social media and technology can both facilitate and hinder friendship formation, depending on how they are used.

4.2.1 Social media and technology can help people connect with others who share their interests, regardless of their location or background.

• Belief:
  • Social media and technology can be a great way to meet new people and make friends.
• Rationale:
  • Social media and technology provide a way for people to connect with others who share their interests, regardless of their location or background. This can be especially helpful for people who are shy or introverted, or who live in remote areas.
• Prominent Proponents:
  • Pew Research Center, University of California, Berkeley
• Counterpoint:
  • Social media and technology can also lead to isolation and loneliness.

4.2.2 Social media and technology can make it easier for people to stay connected with friends and family who live far away.

• Belief:
  • Social media and technology can help people maintain long-distance relationships.
• Rationale:
  • Social media and technology provide a way for people to stay connected with friends and family who live far away. This can be especially helpful for people who have moved away from their hometown or who have friends and family who travel frequently.
• Prominent Proponents:
  • American Psychological Association, University of Michigan
• Counterpoint:
  • Social media and technology can also lead to conflict and misunderstandings.

4.2.3 Social media and technology can be a source of social comparison, which can lead to negative feelings about oneself.

• Belief:
  • Social media and technology can make people feel bad about themselves.
• Rationale:
  • Social media and technology can be a source of social comparison, which can lead to negative feelings about oneself. This is because people often compare themselves to others on social media and see only the highlights of their lives.
• Prominent Proponents:
  • National Institute of Mental Health, University of Pennsylvania
• Counterpoint:
  • Social media and technology can also be a source of support and positive connection.

4.2.4 Social media and technology can be addictive, and spending too much time on social media can lead to problems with sleep, relationships, and work.

• Belief:
  • Social media and technology can be addictive.
• Rationale:
  • Social media and technology can be addictive, and spending too much time on social media can lead to problems with sleep, relationships, and work. This is because social media can be very stimulating and rewarding, and it can be difficult to resist the temptation to spend more and more time on it.
• Prominent Proponents:
  • American Academy of Pediatrics, World Health Organization
• Counterpoint:
  • Social media and technology can also be a source of information, education, and entertainment.

4.3 Economic factors

📖 Economic factors, such as income and wealth, can affect people’s ability to make and maintain friends.

4.3.1 Economic Factors Can Affect People’s Social Circles.

• Belief:
  • Economic factors, such as income and wealth, can affect people’s ability to make and maintain friends.
• Rationale:
  • People with higher incomes may have more opportunities to socialize and meet new people, while people with lower incomes may have fewer opportunities. Additionally, people with higher incomes may be more likely to live in areas with more social amenities, such as parks and community centers, which can provide opportunities to meet new people.
• Prominent Proponents:
  • This perspective is supported by research from the Pew Research Center, which found that people with higher incomes are more likely to have friends than people with lower incomes.
• Counterpoint:
  • While economic factors can play a role in people’s ability to make and maintain friends, it is important to note that there are many other factors that can also affect friendship formation, such as personality, interests, and life stage.

4.3.2 Economic Factors Can Affect People’s Ability to Maintain Friendships.

• Belief:
  • In addition to affecting people’s ability to make friends, economic factors can also affect people’s ability to maintain friendships.
• Rationale:
  • For example, people who are struggling financially may have less time and resources to spend on maintaining friendships, and they may be more likely to experience stress and anxiety, which can make it difficult to maintain relationships. Additionally, people who are struggling financially may be more likely to move to new areas, which can make it difficult to stay in touch with old friends.
• Prominent Proponents:
  • This perspective is supported by research from the University of California, Berkeley, which found that people who are struggling financially are more likely to lose friends than people who are not struggling financially.
• Counterpoint:
  • While economic factors can play a role in people’s ability to maintain friendships, it is important to note that there are many other factors that can also affect friendship maintenance, such as communication, trust, and reciprocity.

4.4 Gender and sexuality

📖 Gender and sexuality can influence people’s experiences of friendship, including the types of friends they make and the challenges they face.

4.4.1 Opinion 1

• Belief:
  • Gender and sexuality are important factors that shape people’s experiences of friendship.
• Rationale:
  • Friendships are often formed between people who share similar backgrounds and experiences. Gender and sexuality can play a role in shaping these shared experiences, and thus influence the formation and dynamics of friendships.
• Prominent Proponents:
  • Sociologists and psychologists
• Counterpoint:
  • While gender and sexuality can play a role in shaping friendships, there are many other factors that can influence these relationships, such as age, race, and socioeconomic status.

4.4.2 Opinion 2

• Belief:
  • Traditional gender roles and stereotypes can limit people’s ability to form friendships across gender lines.
• Rationale:
  • In many cultures, boys and girls are socialized to behave in different ways. This can lead to boys and girls developing different interests and communication styles, which can make it difficult for them to form close friendships with each other.
• Prominent Proponents:
  • Gender studies scholars
• Counterpoint:
  • While traditional gender roles can limit friendships across gender lines, there are many examples of close friendships between men and women.

4.4.3 Opinion 3

• Belief:
  • LGBTQ+ people may face unique challenges in forming and maintaining friendships.
• Rationale:
  • LGBTQ+ people may experience discrimination and prejudice from others, which can make it difficult for them to find and keep friends. Additionally, LGBTQ+ people may feel isolated from their peers if they do not feel comfortable sharing their sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Prominent Proponents:
  • LGBTQ+ rights activists
• Counterpoint:
  • There are many LGBTQ+ people who have strong and supportive friendships. Additionally, there are many resources available to help LGBTQ+ people find and connect with friends.

4.5 Race and ethnicity

📖 Race and ethnicity can shape people’s experiences of friendship, including the ways in which they are perceived and treated by others.

4.5.1 Race and ethnicity can influence the ways in which people are perceived and treated by others

• Belief:
  • People of different races and ethnicities may have different experiences of friendship, including the ways in which they are perceived and treated by others.
• Rationale:
  • These experiences can shape people’s views of themselves and others, and can influence the ways in which they form and maintain friendships.
• Prominent Proponents:
  • Various sociologists and anthropologists
• Counterpoint:
  • Not all people of the same race or ethnicity have the same experiences, and there is a great deal of variation within each group.

4.5.2 Race and ethnicity can shape people’s experiences of friendship, including the ways in which they are perceived and treated by others

• Belief:
  • People of different races and ethnicities may have different experiences of friendship, including the ways in which they are perceived and treated by others.
• Rationale:
  • These experiences can shape people’s views of themselves and others, and can influence the ways in which they form and maintain friendships.
• Prominent Proponents:
  • Various sociologists and anthropologists
• Counterpoint:
  • Not all people of the same race or ethnicity have the same experiences, and there is a great deal of variation within each group.