Most parents have noticed how quickly children make friends. No sooner do they step onto the playground and they have a new best friend. This is in stark contrast to many adults who are more cautious in making friends. Another remarkable fact is that many times children call each other "friends", yet when the parent asks their child the name of their new friend, the child does not know. It all seems so simplistic really. Children want to play, there are other children around, so their natural conclusion is to become friends and play together.
How are children able to make friends so quickly and effortlessly? Is it because they have but one common goal which is to play and have fun? Is it because they are less private and guarded than adults are? Maybe it is in part because of their innocent nature. Children play, fight, make-up, and play again. While this cycle is often repeated many times (even on the same day), the end result of playing together is almost always the same.
Adults, on the other hand, take time to get to know each other before deciding if they will become friends. They talk to one another and perhaps get together several times to see if they have similar interests and lifestyles. Forming an adult friendship is neither effortless nor quick like their children counter parts. Adults are more private and protective of their personal lives and personal space. This could stem from past experiences of betrayal by friends. Perhaps it is something that is just inborn and becomes a more dominate part of our personality as we grow older.
So, who is right? Maybe the answer lies somewhere in the middle. Adults could be more open to forming friendships in less time than they would normally take to do so. We could lower our walls to let people in and trust that people are basically good. Children could use more cautious when forming friendships to make sure the values and morals of their friends align with their own values and morals. What do you think?
How are children able to make friends so quickly and effortlessly? Is it because they have but one common goal which is to play and have fun? Is it because they are less private and guarded than adults are? Maybe it is in part because of their innocent nature. Children play, fight, make-up, and play again. While this cycle is often repeated many times (even on the same day), the end result of playing together is almost always the same.
Adults, on the other hand, take time to get to know each other before deciding if they will become friends. They talk to one another and perhaps get together several times to see if they have similar interests and lifestyles. Forming an adult friendship is neither effortless nor quick like their children counter parts. Adults are more private and protective of their personal lives and personal space. This could stem from past experiences of betrayal by friends. Perhaps it is something that is just inborn and becomes a more dominate part of our personality as we grow older.
So, who is right? Maybe the answer lies somewhere in the middle. Adults could be more open to forming friendships in less time than they would normally take to do so. We could lower our walls to let people in and trust that people are basically good. Children could use more cautious when forming friendships to make sure the values and morals of their friends align with their own values and morals. What do you think?