Definitions for the Discussion
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Friendship, as understood here, is a distinctively personal relationship that is grounded in a concern on the part of each friend for the welfare of the other, for the other’s sake, and that involves some degree of intimacy.
According to Britannica, friendship is a state of enduring affection, esteem, intimacy, and trust and has these defining features:
- involves a series of interactions between individuals,
- recognized by all members of the relationship,
- is a reciprocated affection,
- not obligatory,
- same amount of power or authority in the relationship,
- companionship,
- shared activities.
The American Friendship Project (2024): Americans long for greater closeness with friends, over 40% felt they were not as close to their friends as they would like; nearly half agreed that it is difficult to make friends.
PBS (2024): American men are stuck in what’s been dubbed a friendship recession, with 20 percent of single men now saying they don’t have any close friends.
Merriam-Webster defines counselling as professional guidance of the individual by utilizing psychological methods.
Psychology Today describes therapy as a form of treatment aimed at relieving distress and mental health problems, provided by professionals
