CHILDRENS FRIENDSHIPS - THE GIANT STEP BEYOND PEER ACCEPTANCE

Differences and similarities between the constructs of friendship and global peer acceptance in childhood are considered. Research to date h as identified the features of children's friendships. Children appear to be capable of forming stable, close friendships at younger ages tha n was once thought. Gender differences in children's friendships have received considerable attention, but other types of individual differe nce have not been studied extensively. The synthesis of findings obtai ned using diverse methodologies in testing constructs derived from dif ferent theories has contributed to appreciation of the distinct and co mplex nature of children's friendships.