Youth and friendship: A qualitative study on rules, boundaries and violations

Abstract

The aim of this study is to comprehensively examine the rules adopted by young people in their friendships and the problems that arise when these rules are violated. Today, friendships hold great importance for youth not only as a domain of social interaction but also in terms of identity formation, the development of a sense of belonging, and sources of emotional support. Therefore, a detailed analysis of the meanings attributed to friendship, expectations, rules, and boundaries provides significant insight into the social development of young people. The study thoroughly addresses the values embraced by youth in their friendships, the conflicts they encounter, and their responses to these conflicts. The research is designed as a qualitative study and adopts a phenomenological approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 young participants selected through criterion sampling. Analysis of the data revealed that boundary-setting behaviors in friendships are generally based on fundamental values such as privacy, respect, loyalty, and personal space. When these boundaries are violated, negative outcomes such as loss of trust, disappointment, and emotional tension are observed. The findings suggest that young people establish their friendships not only as social bonds but also on emotional and ethical foundations.