Abstract
Outside the family, girls spend more time with friends than with any other individuals. Our friendship and peer group are often a reflection of who we are. During adolescence, girls select (or are selected by) friends. For the most part, girls choose to be with friends and peers who are similar socioeconomically and who hold the same values and beliefs, although there are some exceptions with African American girls. In this chapter, the nature of friendship among African American girls and the influence of friends and peers on their well-being are examined. The chapter discusses how friends and peers influence attitudes and behaviors both positively and negatively. This chapter begins with definitions followed by a discussion of why friendships are so important to African American girls.
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The most recent gang-related resources may be found on the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s website (http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ojjdp or http://www.ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/) by searching using the keyword “gang.” Also, see the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Girls Study Group for information on prevention girl gang membership at http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/218905.pdf
Zimmerman, J., & Reavill, G. (1998). Raising Our Athletic Daughters: How Sports Can Build Self-Esteem and Save Girls’ Lives. New York: Mainstreet Books.
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Belgrave, F.Z. (2009). Peers and Friends. In: African American Girls. Advancing Responsible Adolescent Development. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0090-6_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0090-6_4
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Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-0089-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-0090-6
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