Children's Friendships

Paper Summary:

The paper reviews Zick Rubin's book titled "Children's Friendships" on the importance of friendships for children's social and educational development. The paper notes that Rubin forms his thesis based on a narrow sampling of children, disregarding cultures in which friendship is viewed differently. The paper then analyzes the case of children from multiracial backgrounds, for which friendship based on similarity is difficult to form. The paper concludes with advice for educators about discussing the issue of friendship with children.

From the Paper:

"Rubin states that children's relationships with their peers not only provide important social skills but contexts in which children can develop meaningfully and compare themselves to others. Friendships also provide children with a sense of group belonging. Friendships provide unique benefits and skills to children, Rubin writes, that parents and educators cannot provide. Some social scientists, such as David Riseman, as cited by Rubin, have argued that an overemphasis on children 'making friends' and 'relating to others' in our 'outer-directed society' has proved detrimental. But regardless, says Rubin, 'the fact that children's friendships can be harmful only serves to outline their importance.'"

More papers on Children's Friendships:

• Analytical Essay # 131360 : "Friendships in Socio-Emotional Development"
• Essay # 33663 : "The Theme of Friendship in Children Literature"
• Book Review # 5265 : "The Children of Divorce"
• Comparison Essay # 67761 : "Children's Literature"

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