CJSL Rules|

Children are interested in specific peers – not just any peers.  They want to share concerns, interests, information and secrets with them.  Children’s friendships is important because they serve six functions into one’s life:

• Companionship. Friendship provides children with a familiar partner and playmate, someone who is willing to spend time with them and join in collaborative activities.
• Stimulation. Friendship provides children with interesting information, excitement and amusement.
• Physical support. Friendship provides time, resources, and assistance.
• Ego support. Friendship provides the expectation of support, encouragement, and feedback, which helps children maintain an impression of themselves as competent, attractive and worthwhile individuals.
• Social comparison. Friendship provides information about where the child stands a vis-a-vis others and whether the child is doing okay.
• Intimacy and affection. Friendship provides children with a warm, close, trusting relationship with another individual in which self-disclosure takes place.