We are all affected by the actions, opinions and beliefs of those around us. Some people feel that young adults are most affected by their families, while others believe that friends have the greatest influence. I believe that the latter is true for the following reasons.

First, in young adulthood people spend more time with their peers than their families. They may be attending school or working, but whatever they do, they will spend more time away from their families than with them. Second, the opinions and beliefs of their families are wall-known to young adults; they have heard them for years. In contrast, those of their friends may be new and different. This will naturally be interesting to young adults and, thus, it is not unusual for them to become excited over one fad after another. Third, when they are young adults people want to express their individuality and independence. They may see differentiating their viewpoints from those of their families as a good way to do this.

From the above, we know that a young adult’s friends can have a great influence on the things he does and believes. This is not to say that the family’s influence no longer exists. In fact, the values and beliefs that a person acquires during childhood are more likely to stay with him throughout his life than are the short-lived enthusiasms of his young friends. Therefore, I believe that friends have a more obvious and immediate effect on a young adult but that a family’s influence is deeper and longer-lasting.