post #3

The concept I picked to discuss in detail this week is pressures on friendships. There are both internal tensions and external pressures. Internal tensions are stresses that come along with relationships and interactions. Relational dialectics, diverse communication styles and sexual attraction are all part of internal tensions. Relational dialectics create tension because both people in the friendship have conflicting needs. Diverse communication styles is when a friendship is strained because misunderstandings when both people have a different cultural backgrounds. Sexual attraction can cause different tensions depending on your sexuality, when feelings arise in a relationship you need to let the other person know. External pressures are when friendships have pressure from outside sources. Competing demands, personal changes, and geographic distance are all parts of external pressures. Competing demands is when you have outside commitments that need your attention as well. Personal changes are when are friendships change as we grow, the experiences you go through in life can change friendships; no matter how close you are with the other person. Geographic distance is when both friends are in a different place; distance in friendships can ruin your relationship.