Friendship Talk as Identity Work: Defining the Self through Friends

• In Event: 349 - Section on Aging and the Life Course Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 07. Social Networks and Social Isolation

Abstract

This paper places friendships at the center of individuals’ identity work, examining how individuals construct self-identities through their talk about friend relationships and networks. We conceptualize this “friendship talk” as a subcategory of identity talk. Using narrative-based interviews with emerging adults, we find three strategies of friendship talk: envisioning through others, situating with networks, and betterment distancing. These strategies demonstrate unique ways identity construction occurs through talk about friends. Individuals verbally connect with and separate from friends, while constructing desired selves and moral identities. We suggest that friendship talk strategies may be generic social processes that apply beyond emerging adulthood.

Authors

• Amanda Koontz Anthony, University of Central Florida

• Janice McCabe, Dartmouth College