Undoubtedly, with time progressing, friendship is no longer a secondary choice but has had a wide positive impact on people’s lives . Whereas some believe that family plays a more crucial role in an individual’s life, while others argue that friends are more critical. As for my opinion, I am in favor of the latter, and the reasons will be thoroughly elaborated on as follows.
First and foremost, friends are voluntary, as individuals can select friends who align with their own preferences. To be more specific, unlike family, which people are born into and can not alter(cannot be altered), friends are chosen based on shared interests and values, often making them more compatible to one’s personal needs. For instance, individuals raised in troubled families, such as those experiencing physical abuse or parental alcohol addiction, often find healing in adulthood when they are finally able to detach from their original families. At this stage, friends usually become their main source of emotional support, providing comfort, encouragement, and a sense of belonging that their families fail to offer.
Furthermore, friends play a stronger role in adulthood, since individuals spend more time building social networks outside their households. Specifically, after turning adults, friends become the immediate support system in different situations, such as studying abroad and working in new environments. For example, many adults who study and work abroad can not rely on their families for daily assistance. In such cases, friends usually replace family members, offering emotional support and practical help in unfamiliar environments, demonstrating the importance of having friends in different life scenarios.
In conclusion, based on the aforementioned, friends definitely play a more important role in an individual’s life, as they are chosen based on personal preferences and offer immediate support.