Social interaction is characterized by casual and intimate relationships. These relationships, occurring throughout all stages of childhood from birth to 18 years, greatly influence personality. Psychologists have found that a child’s earliest relationships, particularly those with his caregivers, have a domino effect on relationships throughout the stages of childhood and therefore indicate the types of relationships he will have throughout the rest of his life.
Early Childhood
Early childhood is the period from birth to 8 years. Until children reach school age, their primary relationships are those with family members, particularly parents or caregivers. Psychologists believe that the mother-child bond develops during the first year of life and that the resulting attachment determines the nature of all future relationships the child will have.
Most children enter a social setting such as preschool or kindergarten between the ages of 4 and 6, where they begin to develop peer relationships. This is also when children develop a sense of independence from their parents. They have a growing sense of self-awareness as they seek out bonds with peers outside the family.
The Provider-Parent Partnerships Organization reports that children who have a secure bond with caregivers during infancy tend to be more socially competent in school. There are three types of non-secure bonds with negative implications for social development. In avoidant relationships, the child finds he cannot depend on the parents to create a feeling of security. Avoidant children are often aggressive with peers. In ambivalent relationships, the child finds he can only sometimes rely on his caregivers. Ambivalent children tend to be emotional, attention-seeking and immature in their relationships. In a disorganized parent-child relationship, the child finds his caregivers unpredictable and tends to be bossy and controlling in peer relationships.
Preadolescence
Preadolescence, or middle childhood, typically lasts from ages 8 to 12 years. Children develop new emotional needs during this time and because of school and extra-curricular activities, there is a sharp decrease in the amount of time spent with the family. Peer friendships are an important part of social interaction during this stage; according to the Personality Research organization, preadolescent children form friendships out of a need “to share their thoughts and feelings with those who are experiencing similar changes.”
According to the FPG Child Development Institute, early friendships are characterized by a preference for one or two peers out of a group, sharing, taking turns and imitating behaviors. These relationships help children develop values that include empathy and loyalty.
Adolescence
Adolescence is the period from 12 to 18 years, and is characterized by major physical and emotional changes. For many children, peer relationships eclipse family relationships during this stage. The Society for Research in Child Development found that peer relationships can have a positive or negative influence on children. Children exhibited less problem behavior when their social network was composed of peers who did well in school, participated in extracurricular activities and avoided drugs and alcohol. The SRCD also found that the more friends a child has, the more likely he is to succumb to peer influence.
Children also develop romantic and sexual relationships during adolescence. The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation reports that just over half of females and just under two-thirds of males have sex before age 18. These early sexual experiences have lasting effects on sexuality.
References
- Personality Research: Intimate Relationships – Personality Development through Interaction during Early Life
- Purdue University Provider-Parent Partnership: Different Types of Parent-Child Relationships
- FPG Child Development Institute: Making Friends – Assisting Children’s Early Relationships
- Society for Research in Child Development: The Study of Friendships in Adolescent Development
- Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation: Beginning Too Soon
