Chapter 10 Media: External Pressure

              Friendships go through many trials. Some of these trials arise due to not necessarily what is inside of us or what we are feeling but from outside sources that strain the relationship that we have. These are called external pressures. The three main pressures that friends experience are competing demands, personal changes, and geographic distances.

                Let’s first look at competing demands. Competing demands arise because of our interwoven social systems. We have work, school, friends, romantic relationships, and family to all balance. When one becomes more important than another there becomes an imbalance. The imbalance causes tension in that one group feels left out compared to another. A major time when this is realized is when a new romantic relationship arises or a new career is started. The established relationships want more attention, so communication is key allowing them to know what is going on and that you will be back to your normal self in a short amount of time.

                Personal changes are another area of strain. Friendships are gained and lost as you make major transitions in your life. (Wood, 2012) One way this is really prominent is the switch from high school to college. As we move to college we become involved in different things, causing our interests to change. Interests are the foundation of most friendships, so when those become altered the friendships usually follow suit.

                Geographic distance is a major strain that most friendships will face.  When friends are separated it takes a greater commitment to remain friends.  A way to help maintain the friendship is by frequent contact, whether by email, Facebook, video chatting, calling, or visiting. It is when thrown into these situations that one figures out friends of heart and friends of road. Friends of heart remain close no matter the distance and circumstances. Friends of the road change as the road of life changes.

                I chose to show the trailer from the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. It demonstrates all aspects of external pressures as the friends are immersed in balancing different relationships in their lives, while facing different challenges that arise, while being separated by going to different colleges. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlFayW-dVwA