DYNAMICS OF PEER RELATIONSHIPS AMONG JUNIOR COLLEGE STUDENTS IN SINGAPORE : AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

Abstract

This study investigates the nature of peer relationships in the lives of ten students in local Junior Colleges. The results are discussed with regard to six areas - the selection of friends, the cultivation of friendship, the differentiation made between different categories of friends (normal friends versus close friends and same-sex friends versus cross-sex friends), the nature of platonic friendship, dating relationship and its relation to friendship and finally the friendship networks. The study concludes by emphasizing the importance of peer relationship in the lives of the adolescents and the contribution this study makes towards understanding the dynamics of adolescent peer relationships by social workers, teachers, parents of adolescent children and policy makers.