Unit 1 You and Others 30
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put their feet on the furniture? Are they destructive? Do they smoke or use
profane language? Do they act in other ways that might upset your family?
These are concerns that may cause your family to worry about the friends
you choose.
Friendships also produce dating experiences. Group dating is often
a teen’s fi rst dating experience.
Group dating
occurs when a number of
people of both sexes meet for an activity, such as attending a movie. Each
teen can get to know all the members of the group and not feel pressure to
be close to just one person. After feeling confi dent in a group, most people
are ready for casual dating. Casual dating involves being part of a couple.
Spending time with dating partners helps you learn about yourself.
You learn how to give and take in personal relationships. You learn about
members of the opposite sex. Spending time with dating partners helps to
prepare people for marriage.
Reading
Review
1. Why should you introduce your friends to your family?
2. Why is it good for you to talk to your parents about your friends?
3. What may make your family worry about your choice of friends?
Ending a Friendship
Sometimes, friendships can end. If your interests change, you and your
friends may drift apart. When a friend moves away, it is painful for both of you.
An argument can cause hurt feelings, and possibly damage your friendship.
Ending close friendships in a healthy way is important. Talking to a
friend in person about ending a friendship is helpful. This way, both of you
can talk about your feelings together. See 1-15.
Sometimes a friendship ends through a letter, phone call, or Internet
message. These methods are not as personal as a face-to-face meeting. This
can create hurt feelings. Also, a letter or e-mail allows only one person to
express feelings.
When a friendship ends, you may feel sad and cry. That is healthy. This
experience helps you learn about what is important to you. It can teach you
to communicate your values to another person. Talking with a parent about
your feelings can help you understand them.
Reading
Review
1. What may cause you to end a friendship?
2. What do you think is the best way to end a friendship? Why?