long answer Flashcards
(14 cards)
Infancy: Building Attachment with Parents
In infancy, the relationship with the caregiver — usually the parents — is the most important social connection. It’s about forming a secure attachment, which builds trust and emotional security.
Personal example:
When I was about one year old, my mom told me I would only fall asleep if she rocked me and sang the same lullaby every night. This repeated caregiving helped me feel safe, teaching me that people could be trusted to meet my needs.
Impact:
This early bond influenced my ability to trust friends and teachers later. Without strong attachment, I might have developed anxiety or fear around relationships, making it harder to socialize in childhood and adulthood
Childhood: Expanding Social Skills through Family and Friends
In early childhood (ages 3–10), while parents are still very important, friendships start to play a huge role in social development. Kids learn cooperation, sharing, fairness, and conflict resolution.
Personal example:
In second grade, I formed a tight friendship with a boy named Ethan. We built forts, shared snacks, and navigated playground conflicts together. Meanwhile, my relationship with my older brother evolved — we would fight sometimes, but also teamed up to convince our parents to buy us a dog.
Impact:
Positive childhood friendships like mine with Ethan taught me how to compromise and forgive, skills I still use today in my adult friendships and romantic relationships.
Adolescence: Peer Pressure and First Romantic Feelings
During adolescence (ages 11–18), friends and peer groups become even more important than family. Teens crave acceptance and often model their behavior after their peers. Romantic feelings also emerge for the first time.
Personal example:
In grade nine, I became obsessed with fitting in — I started dressing like my friend group and tried out for the same sports teams they liked. At the same time, I had my first crush on a boy in my science class, which was thrilling but also terrifying.
Impact:
During adolescence, peer relationships taught me social “rules” about popularity, honesty, and loyalty. But they also showed me the dangers of peer pressure — I remember feeling awful when I ditched an old friend to be part of the “cool” group. These experiences shaped my later values about being a loyal and genuine friend.
Early Adulthood: Building Intimate Partnerships
In early adulthood (ages 18–30), people start to form deep romantic relationships and lifelong friendships. Independence from parents becomes final — adults often move out, get jobs, and start serious romantic partnerships.
Personal example:
At 23, I moved into an apartment with my boyfriend. We learned how to split rent, cook for each other, and communicate about disagreements (like who left dishes in the sink!). Meanwhile, many childhood friendships faded, but two or three friends became “chosen family.”
Impact:
Learning how to maintain a romantic relationship taught me patience, teamwork, and compromise. Losing weaker friendships helped me understand that not every relationship is meant to last forever — and that’s okay.
Middle Adulthood: Raising a Family and Caring for Aging Parents
Middle adulthood (ages 40–65) is heavily defined by family responsibilities — parenting children and sometimes caring for elderly parents.
Personal example:
I watched my mother, during her 50s, balancing taking care of my teenage siblings while managing her father’s doctor appointments after he developed dementia. It was incredibly stressful for her but also strengthened her relationship with her own siblings, as they worked together to care for him.
Impact:
Relationships become a major source of both stress and satisfaction during middle adulthood. Strong family bonds provide emotional and sometimes financial support, but the “sandwich generation” can feel burnt out, affecting mental health and marital satisfaction.
Late Adulthood: Cherishing Longstanding Bonds and Facing Loss
In late adulthood (65+), friendships and close family ties become even more critical as people face retirement, declining health, and sometimes the loss of spouses or friends.
Personal example:
My grandfather, after my grandmother passed away, relied heavily on his weekly coffee group with his longtime friends. They were a lifeline, keeping him socially active and mentally sharp well into his 90s.
Impact:
In late life, relationships directly affect mental and physical health. Close friendships and family connections help buffer against loneliness, depression, and even cognitive decline. Loss becomes a bigger part of life, but strong emotional bonds help make grief survivable.
Infancy
Infancy: Survival and trust — parents are everything.
Childhood
Childhood: Learning social rules — parents + peers.
Adolescence
Adolescence: Seeking identity through friends and romance.
Early adulthood:
Early adulthood: Building deep friendships and romantic partnerships.
Middle adulthood:
Middle adulthood: Focusing on children, spouse, and elderly parents.
Late adulthood
Late adulthood: Maintaining a few deep connections to fight loneliness and find meaning.
Most important relationships shift:
From parents (infancy/childhood)
To peers (adolescence)
To romantic partners and children (early/middle adulthood)
Back to friends and surviving family (late adulthood)
Across life, relationships impact:
Emotional health (confidence, anxiety, happiness)
Career success (through networks and emotional stability)
Physical health (through stress or support)
