Friendship

Among teenagers, friendship plays one of the most important roles in their life. When teenagers are attending school, friends are the ones who they spend the most of their time with. Friends are also the ones who will go through similar experiences in both U.S and Japan. Despite the difference of culture, it is true that friends are important part of life of teenagers. However, the meaning of a friend is different and the relationship with friends is different in U.S and Japan. First of all, friend in Japan are only available among people who are same age or a year difference. On the other hand, in U.S, friend can be in any age. The only requirement to become a friend is whether you can get along with each other. Many people, who have big age difference, will become a friend and call their relationship a friendship. Secondly, when love becomes in a way of friendship, the reaction of U.S and Japanese teenagers is different. Teenagers also can have a boyfriend or a girlfriend and have a love relationship, which is true for most of teenagers in both countries. However, after one friend starts a love relationship, the friendship changes in Japan. Japanese teenagers automatically will be spending more time with their friends. This will make a gap among their friendship. However, American teenagers will bring their boyfriend or a girlfriend into their group of friends. These two extreme differences is a result of social concept of love. In Japan, it is socially accepted that love should not be a part from their normal life when U.S sees a love should be a part of their daily life. Lastly, the difference of a friendship can be seen when family takes place. In Japan, friendship is also seen as a different part of their life from family. Family should not be involved in their friendship. However, in the U.S, there are many chances that a teenager will bring his or her friend to house and spend time with his or her family. Many of these differences seen in two countries come from different culture and social concept.