Best friends forever

This article is about the type of friendship. For the South Park episode, see Best Friends Forever (South Park). For US TV comedy series, see Best Friends Forever (TV series). For Indian TV teen drama, see Best Friends Forever?.
The words "Best Friends Forever" written on the Golden Gate Bridge

"Best friends forever" ("BFF") is a phrase that describes a close friendship typical of teenage girls and young women.[1][2] Such friendships are characterized by intimacy, trust and a sense of permanence.[3] The contacts between the close friends tend to be frequent and be based upon shared experiences such as attendance at the same school.[3] Relationships described as such are common in high school but, rather than lasting forever, tend to deteriorate when the parties go to college.[1]

In elementary and middle school, best friendships often last less than one full academic year.[4] Eileen Kennedy-Moore says that parents can help children cope with a friendship rift through strategies such as empathizing, discouraging retaliation, and encouraging relationship repair.[5]

The term "BFF" has been used at least since 1987.[6] A large survey of friendship in the UK in 2003 found that people had nine close friends on average.[3] In 2009, social networking service Myspace launched "BFF", an online game show series that tested how well best friends knew each other.[7] In 2010, the BFF concept was made part of a BFF contract "to encourage the signatories to work through their differences before splitting up."[8]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Debra L. Oswald, Eddie M. Clark (2003), "Best friends forever?: High school best friendships and the transition to college", Personal Relationships 10 (2): 187–196, doi:10.1111/1475-6811.00045
  2. ↑ Susan Ager (January 26, 2007), "Clueless no more about BFFs", Detroit Free Press, retrieved March 25, 2014
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Irene S. Levine (2009), "Ch. 1: Understanding Female Friendships", Best Friends Forever, Penguin, ISBN 9781590203705
  4. ↑ Berndt, T. J., Hawkins, J. A., & Hoyle, S. G., (1986). Changes in friendship during a school year: Effects on children's and adolescents' impressions of friendship and sharing with friends. Child Development, 57, 1284-1297.
  5. ↑ Kennedy-Moore, E. (2012). Make new friends but keep the old...or not.
  6. ↑ Marcia Cummings (June 21, 1987), "Students Say: Goodbye, School; Hello, Summer", Miami Herald: 2, retrieved March 25, 2014
  7. ↑ "MySpace Launches "BFF," Online Game Show Series", Bloomberg, April 2, 2009, retrieved March 25, 2014
  8. ↑ "The BFF Contract makes friendships a lasting proposition", Sarasota Herald Tribune, February 11, 2010: B1, retrieved March 25, 2014