Lily Jackson ’28, Feature Editor
There are many societal pressures that people face everyday. One of the most problematic being the ”importance” of having abundant friendships. In reality, authenticity in friendships is extremely important—meaningful friendships are built on sincereness. When a “friend” compromises any factors that contribute to who they are as a person or their morals no genuine connection can be built. Only artificial friendships can be established.
Furthermore, the foundation of a friendship is based upon deep connections, loyalty, and trust. Someone’s ability to fabricate themselves by shifting their personality, determined by the person they are interacting with only weakens connections. When individuals succumb to societal pressures and falsify who they truly are, no honest friendships or support systems can develop.
For example, people often compromise their feelings, specifically regarding politics or humanitarianism to continue friendships. Having an abundance of friendships that causes somebody to alter their beliefs and opinions is never worth it; individuals need to surround themselves with the people that make them authentically them.
How does an individual surrounded by people that they don’t particularly enjoy benefit them? Sophomore Trent Harmala commented on why he values close connections over many. He said, “Having a few close friends means that you can actually support each other and build meaningful relationships, whereas you don’t really get that support from people you hardly ever take time to get to know.” This reaffirms why developing earnest bonds is important to one’s social development. By allowing someone to open up and share their genuine self, new, profound relationships can thrive.
Subsequently, the social construct that highlights having large friend groups and having friendships with as many people as possible is detrimental. An article by Psychology Today helps illustrate this point. Psychology Today explained that a friendship is defined by the ability of everyone involved to understand one another’s true intentions. Therefore, someone that fabricates how their image is illustrated to build more friendships cannot also facilitate new bonds.
It is important to remember that quality always surpasses quantity. Having someone to run to in times of hardship completely washes out having 20 people who do not even know each other’s birthday. Developing intentional relationships will forever be a monumental building block of life.
Lyon Life 