Increasingly in adolescence, the youth is influenced by others of his own age group. Peer group influence starts in childhood but becomes much stronger in adolescence. In the period of adolescent adjustment, his group of friends is important in helping the adolescent to interact with his age-mates, to share feelings, and to solve problems with his contemporaries. The friendships of adolescence, which are often intense, though short lived, may compensate for the weakening of family relationships, particularly if these are emotionally charged, as the adolescent strives to become independent while yearning for the security of dependence. In relationships between parents and adolescents, in which warmth and understanding may be minimal, a deep friendship with one of his friends may provide much needed support and enable the youth to develop his personality.
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