CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS IN ADOLESCENCE - THE CASE OF THE KIBBUTZ

In this article, studies on close relationships among kibbutz adolesce nts are reviewed. The case of the kibbutz is examined in terms of the balance between relationship with parents and relationship with peers in the kibbutz as compared to the city and moshav, as well as within t he kibbutz between communal vs. familial sleeping arrangements. The re viewed studies address three issues: Intimacy with a best friend; self -disclosure and emotional expression toward peers, parents, and figure s outside the family; and peer group relations Studies on intimacy in young adults, married adults, and parent-daughter relationships are co nsidered as pointing to the possible consequences of the patterns obse rved during adolescence. Differences in intimacy and emotional express ion among adolescents in the different settings are interpreted in ter ms of the effects of structural variables (sleeping arrangement, degre e of contact with parents and peers) being a marker for greater peer i nvolvement. It is argued that adolescents are likely to maintain their more inhibited pattern of expression of intimacy into adulthood when they stay in the same setting. Change in the level of expressed intima cy is likely to occur in adulthood, with change of setting. Based on c ross-sectional studies it is speculated that it is possible to close d evelopmental gaps in intimacy at a later stage, thus supporting a situ ational-based pattern of intimacy and closeness.