3. The concept of relationship is very broad
and complex.
Personal relationships refer to close
connections between people, formed by
emotional bonds and interactions.
These bonds often grow from and are
strengthened by mutual experiences.
4. Relationships are not static ; they
are continually evolving, and to
fully enjoy and benefit from them
we need skills, information,
inspiration, practice, and social
support.
5. Social support means having friends
and other people, including family, to
turn to in times of need or crisis to
give you a broader focus and positive
self-image. Social support enhances
quality of life and provides a buffer
against adverse life events.
6. There are three kinds of personal
relationships :
1. Family
The concept of "family" is an essential
component in any discussion of
relationships, but this varies greatly
from person to person.
The Oxford dictionary defines it as “a
group consisting of one or two parents
and their children.”
7. 2. Friends
The dictionary defines it as “one attached
to another by affection or esteem.”
Ancient philosophers and contemporary
scientists agree that one of the keys to
happiness is strong relationship with other
people.
8. We need to have intimate, enduring
bonds; we need to be able to confide; we
need to feel that we belong; we need to
be able to get support, and just as
important for happiness, to give support.
We need many kinds of relationships; for
one thing, we need friends.
9. Friends are able to turn to each other in
times of need. Friends may have known
each other since childhood or they have
recently met. A friendship can be
thought of as a close tie between two
people that is often built upon mutual
experiences, shared interests, proximity,
and emotional bonding.
11. 3. Partnership
Romantic partnerships, including
marriage, are close relationships formed
between two people that are built upon
affection, trust, intimacy, and romantic
love. We usually experience this kind of
relationship with only one person at a
time.
12. Instant Friendship
• Many people frequently smile or say, “ Have a
nice day” or “See ya later.” or even extend an
invitation as part of cultural pattern of
politeness.
• In the United States men and women socialize
relatively freely and develop a variety of
relationship. Single people of opposite sexes
may be close friends and share person.
13. Instant Friendship
• Friendship and friendliness are not
synonymous. Friendliness characterizes much
of American daily interaction but is not always
an indication of friendship.
• Strangers may share life histories without any
intention of pursuing a relationship.
• Characterizing instant friendships is the
appearance of two people becoming close
but, in reality, there is no strong bond
between them.
14. Instant Friendship
• Men and women interact in varying degrees of
intensity. Dating may be serious or casual. A
couple may terminate a relationship after three
dates or may date steadily and exclusively for a
long period of time.
• Married men and women sometimes consider
each other best friends as well as spouses. They
also socialize with members of the opposite sex
either as couples or independently.
15. Instant Friendship
• This does not mean that there are no
constrains on the married man or
women, the limitations of these
relationships are not always visible but
they do exist. Most, but not all, married
American couple practice monogamous
relationships.
16. Intercultural Friendship
• There is very little scholarly research regarding
the dynamics of friendship. This is partially due to
the fact that friendship means different things to
different people, making it a very diverse
concept. In some cultures, it is regulated or
limited to family members. Other cultures might
consider acquaintances to be friends, perhaps
even members of their community they don't
even know well. The relationships also vary in
terms of length and intensity. Forging friendships
across differing cultures adds complex dynamics,
resulting in enriching experiences.