Changing Peer Relationships

Learning Objectives

  • Describe changes in peer relationships during adolescence
  • Identify the sociometric peer statuses and characteristics for each
  • Explain the types of bullying and factors that contribute to bullying behavior
  • Describe the developmental benefits of dating
  • Explain teen dating violence and factors that contribute to this behavior

Parent-child relationships are not the only significant relationships in a child’s life. Peer relationships are also important. Social interaction with another child who is similar in age, skills, and knowledge provokes the development of many social skills that are valuable for the rest of life (Bukowski, Buhrmester, & Underwood, 2011). In peer relationships, children learn how to initiate and maintain social interactions with other children. They learn skills for managing conflicts, such as turn-taking, compromise, and bargaining. Through these experiences, children develop friendships that provide additional sources of security and support to those provided by their parents. These relationships become even more prominent during adolescence.