Women’s friendship has become an attractive subject for research. Researchers like Mjaavatn, Frostad, and Pijl (2016) have tried to establish the friendship patterns of women. Friendships are classified into cross-sex friendship which is characterized by individuals of opposite sex becoming friends and same-sex friendship that is associated with establishment of close and prolonged affiliations between individuals of the same gender (Felmmlee & Muraco, 2009). The choice of either of these two friendships is mostly influenced by the preference of different people. For instance, Reeder (2003) learned that children prefer same-sex friendship to cross-sex friendship. However, friendship preference can vary in different genders. Equally, advancement in age can also influence change of individuals’ inclination when choosing friends. For instance, women are claimed to socialize freely with individuals from both genders (Salazar, 2015). However, the attraction of women to other women as well as to men varies significantly. The current study was designed to establish the kind of friendship valued by women. Completion of this study will help understand the type of friendship that is accepted by the majority of the women. The study is structured into six sections: Introduction, Literature Review, Method/Hypotheses, Data, Analysis, and Demonstration of Hypotheses, Conclusion & Suggestions for Future Research.
Research question
Do women tend to make friends with people of their same sex more than they make friends with those of the opposite sex?
Aims of the study
Establish whether women prefer same-gender relations
Determine whether personal characteristics influence women’s choice of friendship
Consider whether women associate friendship with acquisition of social support
Establish whether women prefer friends that they share with personal characteristics.
Hypotheses for the study
Women prefer same-gender relations to cross-gender relations
Women are influenced by personal characteristics like peers’ social skills and looks when making friends
Women believe same-gender friendship provides the required social support
Women prefer friends that share with them personal characteristics
Literature Review
Most people’s friendship preference remains the same from childhood to adulthood (Reeder, 2003). Usually, sex impacts the kind of friends individuals choose in life. For instance, studies indicate that children develop a strong affinity to same-sex friendship when compared to cross-sex friendship (Queija& Oliva, 2015). This “homosocial norm,” continuous preference of same-sex friendship, is attributed to the creation of friendship prototype that advances to adulthood. According to Palchykov et al. (2012), homophily which refers to the formation of relationships between individuals that share the same traits, is a critical organizing principle of the human social behavior.However, the preference of same-sex relationship is higher in women than in men. Majority of the men lose interest same-sex relationship as they advance in age and develop strong attraction to cross-sex friendship (Reeder, 2003).
The preference for these types of relationships is mainly affected by the extent of satisfaction or enjoyment men and women experience. When comparing enjoyment between the two genders, it is claimed that women enjoy same-sex relationships than cross-sex relationships (Queija& Oliva, 2015). According to Queija and Oliva (2015), dyads of female friends not only feel more comfortable but also enjoy same-sex relationships that dyads of male friends. The claim is associated with insignificant level of intimacy in friendship between men. According to Reeder (2003), women experience more enjoyment than men because of the satisfaction they gain from same-sex relationship when compared with opposite-sex relationship. In support of this assertion, Ayotte, Mehta, and Alfonso (2016) also note that same-sex friends enjoy having health-related communication. According to Ayotte, Mehta, and Alfonso (2016), individuals of the same sex find it easy to talk about their sexual experience in addition to other factors that affect them sexually. Moreover, they learned that formation of same-sex friendship helped women develop health-promoting behavior (Ayotte, Mehta, & Alfonso, 2014). Likewise, Queija and Oliva (2015) indicate that some women are satisfied with both relationships whereas men are exclusively satisfied with cross-sex relationship. Based on this argument, it is apparent that other factors other than sex impact women’s preference for friendship.
Women also prefer same-sex friendship to cross-sex friendship because of the quickness of making new friends. According to Queija and Oliva (2015), girls demonstrate significant levels of peer attachment in addition to intimacy with other female friends than boys. Studies indicate that cross-sex friendship is characterized by several social in addition to structural barriers that impair with the formation of friendship (Wade & Hompe, 2018). Some of the factors that influence women to embrace same-sex friendship include protection from gossip by peers and objection by a male partner. Likewise, the selection of friends by females is impacted by their decisions on whom to entrust with their social capital (Wade & Hompe, 2018). According to Wade and Hompe (2018), female friendships are significantly affected by sexual behaviors. That is, females value female friends because they can freely share with them issues related to their sexual lives (Wade & Hompe, 2018). The decision is sometimes influenced by the desire to protect oneself from predatory sexual behavior in addition to sexual aggression from males (Wade & Hompe, 2018). That is, females prefer same-sex relationships to cross-relationships because it is secure. Likewise, Reeder (2003) indicates that the difficulties associated with meeting individuals of opposite sex make women to consider same-sex friendship is the preferable choice. Research findings also show that the friendship preference of most people including both men and women shifts from same-sex friendship during childhood to cross-sex friendship in adolescence and then back to same-sex friendship in older adulthood (Reeder, 2003). However the occurrence of cross-sex friendship is more prevalent among the unmarried persons and middle-class people when compared in among couples and working class people.Friendship closeness also affects the choice of friendship by both men and women (Salazar, 2015). According to several studies, women’s friendships are closer than men’s friendship (Reeder, 2003; Salazar, 2015; Salkicevic, 2014). Unlike women, men focus their attention mainly on making opposite-sex friendship (Queija & Oliva, 2015). The attraction of both men and women to female friends demonstrates women as intimate beings as they can accommodate friends from both genders. Regarding this claim, Reeder (2003) indicates that both women and men among college students spend much of their time with female friends to overcome loneliness.
Qualitative Methods/Hypotheses
The researcher employed integrative literature review to develop the research through summarizing and analyzing results obtained by previous studies. Conclusions about the findings were made based on the cumulative weight obtained from analyzing different findings. The researcher used the findings of previous studies to confirm the outcomes established in the current study.
Search strategy
To locate studies that address the type of friendship embraced by women, a comprehensive computerized search of varied databases was conducted. The review was based on the systematic search approach and the following databases ProQuest, J-Gate, JSTOR, and Mendeley were searched to locate articles that provide information about the research topic. These databases are associated with publishing multidisciplinary journals. The words “Women’s Female Friendship” were used to locate a wide-range of relevant articles. The researcher considered sources that addressed female friendship and excluded the ones that presented insignificant specification about female friendship as well as those that provided limited information about this friendship were excluded.
The researcher located many articles from these databases but filtered them based on different factors such as year of publication and remained with three sources that addressed the current study’s research topic. The three sources were considered reliable for the study as they were less than three years old. Equally, they were all printed by renowned academic journals. The findings of the study were also informative as the researchers had interacted with women who are the point of interest in this study. Likewise, these studies were conducted in different settings and with varied sample size which is critical in limiting biasness.
Data
Salazar (2015) found that there was a strong correlation between closeness and same-sex friendship. There was also a strong link between trust and females’ same-sex friendship. The result of Salazar’s t-tests showed that gender affected self-compassion and male are more compassionate when compared with women. Similarly, the results obtained by Salazar (2015) demonstrated that females are more other-compassionate than individuals of opposite sex. The t-tests results also showed that females and males do not have strong difference on the results of trust, closeness as well as social support. David-Barrett et al. (2015) studied gender homophily presented by profile pictures and noted that the majority of the pictures comprised individuals of the same gender. They found out that the frequency of female-only, male-only, and male-female in profile pictures with between 5 and 12 persons was approximately 16%, 41%, and 16% respectively. Pictures of both genders were very few in the accessed profile pictures. They also noted the preference for same-gender friends in profile pictures with less than five people. The results of David-Barrett et al.’s (2015) study also showed that profile pictures with many people constituted mainly males whereas those with between three to four people comprised men and women. They also noted women’s strong attraction to same gender dyads. The study showed that women were common in profile pictures with few people as well as in pictures containing two individuals who were mainly females. David-Barrett et al. (2015) also noted that are over 51% pictures with two women when compared with those with two men. Similarly, Mjaavatn, Frostad, and Pijl (2016) found out that more girls were isolates when compared with boys and more boys than girls embraced participation networks. They also noted the presence of two dyads in girls and one dyad in boys. The result of this study also demonstrated that value social skills as a criterion for choosing friends. Similarly, it showed that girls received more support than boys from peers. In addition, the findings of Mjaavatn, Frostad, and Pijl’s (2016) study demonstrated that women focused mainly on relation dimensions whereas boys were mainly interested in appearance dimensions.
Analysis
Several studies demonstrated that females value dyads relationships. Most women consider same-sex friendship as the only option of practicing dyads relationships. According to Salazar (2015) and Salkicevic (2014), women value closeness very much. This trait is the primary characteristic of this kind of relationship. These studies also showed that females like befriending individuals that are similar to them. This kind of friendship is supported by the similarity theory. According to this theory, boys as well as girls choose friends that present common traits and behaviors (Mjaavatn, Frostad, &Pijl, 2016).
Mjaavatn, Frostad, and Pijl (2016) also noted that culture affects the choosing of friends. According to them, girls and boys grow in different cultures thatinstill varied beliefs to them, hence, affecting the possibility of individuals of different genders developing friendship easily. In support of this assertion, Felmmlee and Muraco (2009) argued that social norms guided the formation of female friendship. Equally, it was evidenced in Mjaavatn, Frostad, and Pijl’s (2016) that culture impacts the establishment of female friendship. According to them, girls emphasize relationships that are grounded on dyadic friendship instead of large structured groups. That is, females preferred same-sex friendship to cross-sex friendship to protect themselves from going against the social norms.
Similarly, it is demonstrated by the findings of thesestudies that girls like establishing networks with other girls. The formation of social networks is mainly based on preferences. Men and women have different preferences. For instance, it is apparent that men value big groups with hierarchies (Barrett et al., 2015). Women on the other hand embrace closeness in relationships (Salazar, 2015) that can be achieved by maintaining small groups.
Demonstration of Hypotheses, Conclusion & Suggestions for Future Research
Demonstration of Hypotheses
The researcher of this study hypothesized that women prefer same-gender relations to cross-gender relations. This hypothesis was supported by the findings collected from the previous studies. For instance, Salazar (2015) learned from their research that girls are often attracted to other girls because they present similar characteristics. Likewise, Palchykov et al., (2012) noted in their study that individuals with similar traits usually have almost similar personality and interests. Thus, women tend to be attracted to individuals of the same gender so that they can feel comfortable as well as explore their interests.
Similarly, it was hypothesized that women are influenced by personal characteristics like peers’ social skills and looks when making friends. In support of this hypothesis, Mjaavatn, Frostad, and Pijl’s (2016) noted that most females use other persons’ social skills as the selection criteria for their friends. That is, they choose individuals that present social skills that correlate with theirs. Equally, Palchykov et al. (2012) indicate that women like befriending women with social traits that are similar to theirs. According to Reeder (2003), people are guided by “homosocial norm” when choosing friends. They prefer maintaining the initial choice of friends in all levels of development. As it was noted before, children like befriending individuals of the same sex to reap from the shared social skills. Thus, women maintain this norm in later stages of development to maintain the same experience.
The researcher of this study also hypothesized that women believe same-gender friendship provides the required social support. Salazar’s (2015) findings back this hypothesis by demonstrating that same-sex communication is characterized by strong social support. Women value social support, and as a result, befriend other women. According to Salazar (2015), women believe this kind of support can help them overcome distressful situations. From experience, it is apparent that the personality and courage of women drops significantly when exposed to stressful situations. Thus, women befriend persons that can help them handle their stressful situations. Equally, Wade and Hompe (2018) indicate that women embrace same-sex friendship because it helps them overcome the men’s predatory sexual behaviors besides protecting them from sexual aggression from men.
In addition, the researcher of this study hypothesized that women prefer friends that they share with personal characteristics. In support of this hypothesis, Mjaavatn, Frostad, and Pijl’s (2016) learned that befriending individuals of same-sex help women maintain their self-esteem. According to them, women feel comfortable about their physical attractiveness when they receive support from other women. Likewise, they assert that women with high self-esteem often seek friends that are socially competent. According to Salzar (2015), women are more socially competent than men.
Conclusion
Friendship is characterized by the sharing of the mutual traits and it leads to the development of mutual respect and affection. Formation of friends is mainly affected by gender differences. The cultural practices in addition to social norms promote the observance of gender differences since they act as the basis for social relationships. The choice of female friendship is usually based on these factors. The friendship preference of majority of the women remains the same from childhood to adulthood. Women are also influenced to establish same-sex friendship because of the experienced satisfaction and enjoyment in addition to the quickness of making new friends. Equally, girls value same-sex friendship because it allows them exercise high level of peer attachment in addition to intimacy. They also value this kind of friendship as it provides them with individuals to entrust with their social capital. Females also like befriending individuals that present sexual behavior that correlate with theirs. Women are also influenced to establish same-sex friendship that is characterized with closeness. Equally, the findings of the current study supported these claims by indicating that majority of the women prefer same-gender relationship to cross-gender relationships because they make them feel comfortable. They also showed that women are influenced by personal characteristics that are common in individuals of the same gender in choosing friends. Likewise, the findings of this study demonstrated that women embrace same-gender friendship because it provides them with the necessary social support. Moreover, the study established that women tend to like same-sex friendship as it comprises individuals with shared personal characteristics.
Suggestions for Future Research
The studies that were reviewed in the current study did not indicate whether the formation of friends by females varied with ethnic background. As a result of this, future studies should include participants from different ethnic background to establish whether the establishment of friendship by females is affected by ethnic effect. Currently, the world has also experienced tremendous changes as a result of advancement in technology. Many people including adults and children are influenced to make some decisions by the use of electronic communication. For instance, social networks have increased significantly with the drop of face to face interactions. Based on this, future research should evaluate the effect of different forms of interaction to the formation of female friendship.
References
Ayotte, B., Mehta, C., & Alfonso, J. (2016). Health communication with same-sex and other- sex friends in emerging adulthood. The international journal of Aging and Human Development. doi.org/10.1177/0091415016680066
David-Barrett, T. et al. (2015). Women favour dyadic relationships, but men prefer clubs: cross- cultural evidence from social networking. PlosOne. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0118329
Felmlee, D. &Muraco, A. (2009). Gender and friendship norms among older adults. Res Aging, 31(3): 318–344. doi: [10.1177/0164027508330719]
Mjaavatn, P., Frostad, P., &Pijl, S. (2016). Adolescents: Differences in friendship patterns related togender. Issues in Educational Research. Retrieved from http://www.iier.org.au/iier26/mjaavatn.pdf
Palchykov, V. et al. (2012). Sex differences in intimate relationships. Retrieved from https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1201/1201.5722.pdf
Quija, I. & Oliva, A. (2015). A longitudinal view of peer-friendship relations and their association with parental attachment bonds. International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy, 15, 2, 259-272. Retrieved from https://www.ijpsy.com/volumen15/num2/418/a-longitudinal-view-of-peer-friendship- relations-EN.pdf
Reeder, H. (2003). The effect of gender role orientationon same- and cross-sex friendship formation. Sex Roles. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/sites/default/files/attachments/85933/sexrolesarticle.p df
Salazar, L. (2015). Exploring the relationship between compassion, closeness, trust, and social support in same-sex friendships. The Journal of Happiness & Well-Being, 3(1), 15-29. Retrieved from http://self-compassion.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Salazar-2015.pdf
Salkicevic, S. (2014). Some determinants of opposite-sex friendships initiation and dissolution. Review of Psychology, 31-39. Retrieved from https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/189290
Wade, T. & Hompe, C. (2018). Women’s friendship: Allomothering, cooperative breeding, and exogamy as bases foreffective strategies for friendship formation. Human Ethology Bulletin. Retrieved from http://ishe.org/wp- content/uploads/2018/06/HEB_2018_33_2_37-47-2.pdf
