> In the hierarchy of relationships, friendships are at the bottom.
Depends where you are in life. For me as a single guy in his early 30s, friendships are absolutely at the top of the hierarchy for me.
> Friendships are unique relationships because unlike family relationships, we choose to enter into them.
And this is WHY friends are above family for me. Admittedly, if I had my own family (as in wife and kids), they'd be my top priority in life for sure.
However, unfortunately I do notice that it's getting harder to meet up with friends as their obligations in life increase. One of my best friends has started university again while still working part-time, and so even though he lives in walking distance, we don't see each other very often because he's extremely short on time. Two other of my closest friends live in a different country, but somehow we're managing to meet up 3-4 times a year for at least a week each. That might change though when you'll eventually have kids.
To be honest, I won't read the whole article, but I just wanted to say that it can be different. At least I really hope that my friends will be a high priority for me even if my or their life situations inevitably change.
Sorry wouldn't a single guy in his early 30s have the relationship with a romantic partner be on top of social hierarchy?
I am in the same place, I while I logically understand that it's probably easier to find a girl friend if I had a friend or two first, I still have a much stronger desire to have a romantic partner that just a friend.
Having regular friends, including male ones, greatly increases your odds of meeting a romantic partner.
Also not all single guys in their early 30s are eager to find a romantic partner. I am also in that age bracket and I am avoiding having another monogamous relationship for at least some years
Friends can be the canary in the coal mine: if your partner hates all your friends, or worse, tries to push you away from them, it's a screaming red flag. Nobody goes into a relationship expecting it to happen. Abusers are adept at pulling people in deep before revealing it was a trap. It can happen to anyone.
Depends where you are in life. For me as a single guy in his early 30s, friendships are absolutely at the top of the hierarchy for me.
> Friendships are unique relationships because unlike family relationships, we choose to enter into them.
And this is WHY friends are above family for me. Admittedly, if I had my own family (as in wife and kids), they'd be my top priority in life for sure.
However, unfortunately I do notice that it's getting harder to meet up with friends as their obligations in life increase. One of my best friends has started university again while still working part-time, and so even though he lives in walking distance, we don't see each other very often because he's extremely short on time. Two other of my closest friends live in a different country, but somehow we're managing to meet up 3-4 times a year for at least a week each. That might change though when you'll eventually have kids.
To be honest, I won't read the whole article, but I just wanted to say that it can be different. At least I really hope that my friends will be a high priority for me even if my or their life situations inevitably change.