Friends are increasingly becoming our 'framily' as we search for another support netw

[Antaletriangle]

By Sarah Harris
Last updated at 1:38 AM on 22nd September 2008

There's always one who's the organiser. Someone else is permanently in crisis... and then there's the person you turn to when you really need a loan.

Does is sound like your family? Well, it might. But these days, it could be your group of friends instead, researchers say.

A study has found that we are increasingly making 'framilies' for ourselves by surrounding ourselves with friends.


I'll be there for you: A study has found we increasingly surround ourselves with friends


The phenomenon is thought to have come about as men and women search for another support network after they have moved away from their real family.

Delaying marriage, having fewer children or getting divorced are also contributing factors. The trend means that one in four adults spends more time with friends than relatives, according to the survey by market researchers GFK NOP. And 67 per cent believe their best friend has the same status as a family member.

What is more, in most areas of our lives, we think friends are as or more helpful as blood relations, U.S. researchers in California found.

A separate survey, looking mostly at under-45s, found that we turn to framily when we feel low or are starting a new job.

Almost one in three relies on a friend during a health crisis and 42 per cent said friends had been the most help in learning how to get along with others or developing a job skill, said clinical psychologist-Dr Larry Lachman, who did research for his book, The Fabric of Unity.

Those polled made comments such as, 'Friends are people that you choose, family are people you are stuck with.'

Dr Lachman said: 'In the past, living with multi-generations of extended family or in rural close-knit communities or marrying early and having lots of children would have provided the social support and companionship that the modern trend of "framily" is now filling.'

Behaviour expert Jenni Trent-Hughes said: 'The structure of the group quite often resembles that of a family. Someone becomes the mother, another becomes the baby, another is an organiser, one is always in trouble.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...t-network.html

[Shellie]

I believe it. My family is very victim/parasitic/emotionally imbalanced. I stay away from them as much as possible.