"Best friends": the construction of a teenage friendship.
A case study of a friendship between two high school students with disabilities was reported. The study was part of a research project on the social relationships of children and youth with disabilities. Ethnographic interviews and participant observations were used to accomplish two goals: (a) delineating the features of a spontaneous friendship between two young women in a self-contained high school class and (b) assisting them in pursuing social activities together outside of school. The "insider perspectives" of the participants regarding their friendship is presented as is an interpretation of factors that supported and constrained the relationship. The importance of professionals encouraging the formation of networks among the families of youth with disabilities and of respecting families' cultural perspectives is emphasized.
Day
M
M
Department of Special Education, University of Maryland, College Park 20742, USA.
Harry
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000523:psychology; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D010553:Personality Development; D012919:Social Behavior; D012951:Socialization