Understanding, Dependable, Socializing: The Meaning of Friendship among Adolescents in Jakarta

Abstract

One of the important characters for adolescents in the 21^st century is the ability of social and cultural awareness and ability of communication. As adolescents, social awareness is an important factor in building relationships with a friend. The main purpose of the meaning of friendship become very important. This study aimed (1) to categorize about friendship in terms of the meaning of a friend, (2) to categorize a best friend, and (3) to categorize the importance of having friends. Respondents in this research were 160 respondents (female= 104, male=56). Data collection method used is survey method by using open-ended questions. Data were analyzed by using inductive content analysis. The results of this study indicate that the concept of “the meaning of friend” described in four categories: helping (51%), can rely on (23%), appreciation (17%) and embrace (9%). The concept of "a best friend” is expressed in four categories: dependable (43%), understanding (26%), trustworthy (16%), and acceptance (15%). On the other, the concept of “the importance of having friends” is defined in three categories: socializing (76%), helping (19%) and accepting (5%). This research implicates an understanding of the meaning of friendship for adolescents in order to establish a positive relationship which will relate to the importance the role of a friend in multicultural interactions.

Keywords: A best friend, accepting, friendship, helping, trustworthy.