Family vs. Friends: Comparing Key Relationships

Gabrielle is an experienced freelance writer and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with experience using equine-assisted therapy.

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Friendships and familial relationships can be both a source of stress and a source of comfort depending on the circumstances. Whatever your own unique relational balance is amongst your friends and/or family members, know that both friends and family can provide meaningful and fulfilling connections.

Family vs. Friends

When it comes to comparing friendships and familial relationships, know that the quality of the relationship is a key component of how meaningful, supportive, and fulfilling a relationship is. This means that whether you are mostly close with your friends or your family, you can still experience loving, healthy, and respectful relationships.

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Which Is Better Family or Friends?

There is no "better" when it comes to a familial relationship or friendship. Relationships are all different and will vary based on unique circumstances. A fairer comparison would be to ask yourself which relationships are healthier? Healthy relationships may be absent amongst your family, but not amongst your friendships, or vice versa.

How Do Friends Differ From Family Members?

One big difference between family and friends is that your family member's relational label will not change, even if you have an argument. Your sibling, parent, aunt, or cousin will always maintain that relational label, even if you become estranged. With friendships, if you have a falling out, your relationship status can change and you may end up completely disconnected. In some families, there is more of an undertone that no matter what, family is family, and issues may be prioritized for resolution, while this may not be the case with some friendships.

Family vs. Friends Comparison Chart

Both family and friends can be caring, loving, irreplaceable, and maintain their relationship with you through the ups and downs of life. While some families are open, loving, and warm, others can be cold, abusive, and neglectful . Unlike with friendships, especially if you are a minor, families can feel more difficult to remove yourself from. Family relationships may also be associated with more complex issues, hierarchical disparities, and circumstances where one may feel indebted to another, while healthy friendships have an even power structure.

Will always be related regardless of circumstances. May not always be a friend.
May feel more pressure to keep connection. May come and go with more ease.
May have more motivation to overcome issues. May feel less pressure to resolve issues if friendship is new.
Pervasive family patterns can impact relationship choices. Are impacted by pervasive family relationship patterns.
May be there when friends aren't. May be there when family isn't.
Can be kind and loving.

Can be kind and loving.

Why Do I Like My Friends More Than My Family?

If you feel like your friends have replaced your family or that you prefer your friends to your family, know that you are not alone. Many individuals turn to friends when they have difficulties with their family members or feel as if their friends are more trustworthy and understand them better than family members do. You have control over who you choose to surround yourself with friend-wise, but that's not the case when it comes to family. Being able to choose friends who support and accept you may feel a lot different when compared to your family relationships.

Do Family Members Count as Friends?

Family members can also be considered friends. There is no rule stating that a family member can't also be a friend. You may have a cousin close in age, a sibling who you consider to be a best friend, or another family member who you feel like you can truly confide in.

Friends or Family- Who Do You Rely on the Most and Why?

Relying more on a family member or friend will depend on your unique situation. Some individuals:

  • Have an unhealthy family situation and prefer to rely on friends
  • Have a more difficult time making and/or maintaining friendships and may rely more on family members
  • May rely on family members for certain matters and friends for others

Family Versus Friends Quotes

Quotes about friendships and relationships with your family can highlight their similarities and differences. These quotes can feel inspirational to read, write in a card, or be communicate in other ways you see fit.

Are Friends Better Than Family for Your Health?

Research indicates that friendships, especially for adults, predict better health outcomes than familial relationships do. Having solid, reliable friendships was more closely tied to feeling happier and healthier.

Is It More Important to Have a Good Family Than Friends?

Research indicates that having good friends is tied to better mental and physical health outcomes. With that said, every circumstance is unique, and it's up to you to figure out which relationships in your life feel fulfilling, supportive, and loving, regardless if they are with a family member or friend.

Family or Friends

Relationships with friends and family members are unique to each individual. Know that there is no right or wrong way to have healthy and meaningful relationships, whether that means being closer to your friends or family members.

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Some People Believe That Family is More Important Than Friends- IELTS Writing Task 2

Janice Thompson

Updated On Aug 14, 2024

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Table of Contents

Sample essay.

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Some people believe that family is more important than friends. To what extent do you agree and disagree?

Opinion Essay

Introduction

State the main idea of the topic with synonyms – In today’s era, when the world has morphed into an utterly engaging competitive foreground where everybody is busy and entangled in their stifle, dedicating proper time to our loved ones has become really difficult. Some people contend that family is more important than friends, while some propound that it is not the case.

Body Paragraphs

Paragraph 1 – The family has always been a first and the prime countenance of any individual.

Paragraph 2 – Family knows us better and can help us better in our time of need.

Restate your views.

In today’s era, when the world has morphed into an utterly engaging competitive foreground where everybody is busy and entangled in their stifle, dedicating proper time to our loved ones has become really difficult. Some people contend that family is more important than friends, while some propound that it is not the case. However, I find myself agreeing with the former statement and shall be putting forth my views in the subsequent paragraphs.

The family has always been a first and the prime countenance of any individual. If we extend the ambit of our immediate relations, family is the first staunch port that we come across. Time and again, it has been proven how a faltering individual has been buttressed by their family. Ultimately, they are the ones who turn out to be the only abode while we are made to face the hardships of life. Therefore, it makes sense to rely upon and dedicate one’s time to cultivating and strengthening the roots of the family terms.

Moreover, if one draws a comparison between their family and friends, the former knows the nuances of the individual’s personality and the know-how of their situations at all the times, not necessarily corresponding to a single tonality of life, while one tends to show the superficial sides or the people they choose to be with the friends. Upon some unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances, it has been commonly seen how family members perceive the emotions of what an individual was or had been going through while friends generally miss taking notes of an intrinsic persona of the individual. In such a scenario, one should most certainly keep up with one’s kins and family relations.

Though, some would say, friends can better understand what one is going through as they are presumably  closer, yet, as one sees around, people sketch their personalities in front of their friends and artificially present themselves before them.

In conclusion, it can be said that one should dedicate their time towards one’s family to have a better hold on themselves and to mutually own up to their needs as they are the true essence of love, emotions, sympathy, and happiness in the long run.

Meaning: extremely Sentence: The world has been morphed into an utterly competitive battleground.

Meaning: stuck Sentence: I was entangled in my office work today.

  • Countenance

Meaning: facet Sentence: Learning has to be a primary countenance of schooling.

Meaning: loyal Sentence: He has always been my staunch supporter of Mumbai Indians.

Meaning: supported Sentence: Nelson was buttressed by his pals despite his misdemeanour.

Meaning: stumbling; moving unsteadily or hesitantly Sentence: I have been faltering over these speed breakers ever since I came here.

Meaning: shelter Sentence: This place was my final abode during my tough days.

Meaning: a subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound. Sentence: You need to be aware of the nuances of this poem.

Meaning: internal/fundamental Sentence: Don’t go into the intrinsic details of this issue.

Meaning: supposedly Sentence: She was presumably a good person.

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Janice Thompson

Janice Thompson

Soon after graduating with a Master’s in Literature from Southern Arkansas University, she joined an institute as an English language trainer. She has had innumerous student interactions and has produced a couple of research papers on English language teaching. She soon found that non-native speakers struggled to meet the English language requirements set by foreign universities. It was when she decided to jump ship into IELTS training. From then on, she has been mentoring IELTS aspirants. She joined IELTSMaterial about a year ago, and her contributions have been exceptional. Her essay ideas and vocabulary have taken many students to a band 9.

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Essay on Importance of Family for Students and Children

500 words essay on importance of family.

In today’s world when everything is losing its meaning, we need to realize the importance of family more than ever. While the world is becoming more modern and advanced, the meaning of family and what stands for remains the same.

A family is a group of people who are related by blood or heritage. These people are linked not only by blood but also by compassion, love, and support. A person’s character and personality are shaped by his or her family. There are various forms of families in today’s society. It is further subdivided into a tight and extended family (nuclear family, single parent, step-family, grandparent, cousins, etc.)

Family – A synonym for trust, comfort, love, care, happiness and belonging. Family is the relationship that we share from the moment we are born into this world. People that take care of us and help us grow are what we call family, and they become lifelines for us to live. Family members have an important role in deciding an individual’s success or failure in life since they provide a support system and source of encouragement.

Essay on Importance of Family

It does not matter what kind of family one belongs to. It is all equal as long as there are caring and acceptance. You may be from a joint family, same-sex partner family, nuclear family, it is all the same. The relationships we have with our members make our family strong. We all have unique relations with each family member. In addition to other things, a family is the strongest unit in one’s life.

Things That Strengthens The Family

A family is made strong through a number of factors. The most important one is of course love. You instantly think of unconditional love when you think of family. It is the first source of love you receive in your life It teaches you the meaning of love which you carry on forever in your heart.

Secondly, we see that loyalty strengthens a family. When you have a family, you are devoted to them. You stick by them through the hard times and celebrate in their happy times. A family always supports and backs each other. They stand up for each other in front of a third party trying to harm them proving their loyalty.

Most importantly, the things one learns from their family brings them closer. For instance, we learn how to deal with the world through our family first. They are our first school and this teaching strengthens the bond. It gives us reason to stand by each other as we share the same values.

No matter what the situation arises, your family will never leave you alone. They will always stand alongside you to overcome the hardships in life. If anyone is dealing with any kind of trouble, even a small talk about it to the family will make ones’ mind lighter and will give them a sense of hope, an inner sense of strength to fight those problems.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Importance of Family

One cannot emphasize enough on the importance of family. They play a great role in our lives and make us better human beings. The one lucky enough to have a family often do not realize the value of a family.

However, those who do not have families know their worth. A family is our source of strength. It teaches us what relationships mean. They help us create meaningful relationships in the outside world. The love we inherit from our families, we pass on to our independent relationships.

Moreover, families teach us better communication . When we spend time with our families and love each other and communicate openly, we create a better future for ourselves. When we stay connected with our families, we learn to connect better with the world.

Similarly, families teach us patience. It gets tough sometimes to be patient with our family members. Yet we remain so out of love and respect. Thus, it teaches us patience to deal better with the world. Families boost our confidence and make us feel loved. They are the pillars of our strength who never fall instead keep us strong so we become better people.

We learn the values of love, respect, faith, hope, caring, cultures, ethics, traditions, and everything else that concerns us through our families. Being raised in a loving household provides a solid foundation for anyone.

People develop a value system inside their family structure in addition to life lessons. They learn what their family considers to be proper and wrong, as well as what the community considers to be significant.

Families are the epicentres of tradition. Many families keep on traditions by sharing stories from the past over the years. This allows you to reconnect with family relatives who are no longer alive. A child raised in this type of household feels as if they are a part of something bigger than themselves. They’ll be proud to be a part of a community that has had ups and downs. Communities thrive when families are strong. This, in turn, contributes to a robust society.

Q.1 What strengthens a family?

A.1 A family’s strength is made up of many factors. It is made of love that teaches us to love others unconditionally. Loyalty strengthens a family which makes the members be loyal to other people as well. Most importantly, acceptance and understanding strengthen a family.

Q.2 Why is family important?

A.2 Families are very important components of society and people’s lives. They teach us a lot about life and relationships. They love us and treat us valuably. They boost our self-confidence and make us feel valued. In addition, they teach us patience to deal with others in a graceful and accepting manner.

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Which is more important to you, friends or family?

Generally, family is more important than friends because family members are your closest biological and legal relatives, such as parents, siblings, and children. You spend a long time with family and those bonds are not easily broken. On the other hand, friends are chosen and can come and go. Read More Band 6+

To me, both relationships hold their own significance, but family is closer to my heart than my friends. I'm not a very social person, so I tend to have fewer friends. And in my social circles, there are many introverts just like me. So I prefer to have a close relationship with family. Read More Band 7+

Both are really important in our life, but I will choose family first because for every person family is important. Secondly, I want to categorize friends as a second part of life. Read More Band 6+

To be honest, family comes first. However, there are some friends who become like family members. The bond between family members is often stronger, but this doesn't mean that we don't need friends; they also are important in our life. Being with family makes us who we really are, and friends make our life more [...] Read More Band 5+

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Which is more important family or friend

Inappropriate comparison.

eviand /   Feb 2, 2019   #2 Like you said, I don't think this is a fair comparison. Both family and friends are vital in leading a healthy life. One cannot replace the other and vice versa. However, on second thoughts, friends are replaceable while family is not. Friendship don't always last forever, while family ties certainly do. This is why, if I had to choose, I would go with family. Thank God I don't ever have to make such a distinction.

essay family or friends which are more important

Ziming82222 1 / 2   Feb 8, 2019   #5 Families are always the people supporting you whatever your current situation. But if you are away from your home, friends are the closest people you can rely on. But anyway, families will never betray you.

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essay family or friends which are more important

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COMMENTS

  1. IELTS Essay: Family & Friends

    Nonetheless, friends pass in and out of life and family lasts forever. 2. Family has, naturally, the greatest influence in the developmental years of life when researchers believe the majority of identity formation takes place. 3. Coupled with genetic factors, this is why family members have similar attitudes and beliefs, in general.

  2. Family vs. Friends: Comparing Key Relationships

    Family relationships may also be associated with more complex issues, hierarchical disparities, and circumstances where one may feel indebted to another, while healthy friendships have an even power structure. Family. Friends. Will always be related regardless of circumstances. May not always be a friend. May feel more pressure to keep connection.

  3. Friends and Family

    Which is more important - friends or family? Notes Write about: 1. who you can enjoy yourself with 2. who will help you when you have problems 3. …(your own idea) Family and friends are two imperative factors affecting every person's life considerably. Both can meet many demands of people in terms of both physical and mental aspects.

  4. Band 4: Friends are more important or family. What is your opinion

    The essay could benefit from a clearer stance on whether family or friends are more important. Additionally, the ideas are somewhat relevant but not fully extended or well supported. To improve, consider taking a clear position and providing more detailed support for the chosen stance. The essay falls short of the required 250 words.

  5. IELTS essay Which is more important- friends or family?

    But there are plans that you can only enjoy yourself with your friends. For example, going to a party and drink a bit of alcohol without being judged. Secondly, family is there when you have moments of falling down or some kind of problems. Also, close friends sometimes can give you support as your family. People that are really part of your ...

  6. Some People Believe That Family is More Important Than Friends- IELTS

    Some people contend that family is more important than friends, while some propound that it is not the case. Body Paragraphs. Paragraph 1 - The family has always been a first and the prime countenance of any individual. Paragraph 2 - Family knows us better and can help us better in our time of need. Conclusion. Restate your views. Sample Essay

  7. Band-9 Samples: Which is more important to you, friends or family? [Why?]

    Sample 9: Both. Female. Male. Personally, I don't see it as a matter of more or less importance. Both kin and comrades play vital roles in different areas of my life. Family offers a sense of belonging, whereas friends provide a feeling of personal development and self-exploration.

  8. Why Your Friends Are More Important Than You Think

    There are these transition points in life when it's easier or harder to spend time with friends, but what is important for people to know is that friendship is a lifelong endeavor and that it is something that people should be paying attention to at all points in life. I think that people sometimes think (especially in their 30s and 40s ...

  9. Essay on Family And Friends

    Importance of Family and Friends. Family and friends are like the roots of a tree; they help us stay strong and grounded. Our family is the group of people we are born into or the ones who take care of us. They are our first teachers and our biggest supporters. They teach us how to walk, talk, and understand the world.

  10. Some people believe that family is more important than friends

    In my opinion, family, not only plays a crucial role but. also. they are the strength of any individual. The Following essay will discuss how close family members are important in anyone's life, with examples and conclusion. At the outset, there are numerous benefits associated with having family in comparison to. friends.

  11. Essay on Importance of Family for Students and Children

    500 Words Essay on Importance of Family. In today's world when everything is losing its meaning, we need to realize the importance of family more than ever. While the world is becoming more modern and advanced, the meaning of family and what stands for remains the same. A family is a group of people who are related by blood or heritage.

  12. Friendship: Friends May Be More Important Than Family

    June 7, 2017 2:08 PM EDT. F riends become increasingly important to health and happiness as people age, according to new research in the journal Personal Relationships. They're so crucial, in ...

  13. Some people believe that family is more important than friends

    I personally agree that doing good for humankind can impact the way students think to others. writing9. It is believed by most of the people that family plays an important role than their friends. I agree to this statement to most extent because family will always support you no matter what | Band: 6.

  14. Some people believe that family is more important than friends

    The reason is, individuals realize that family is something in which we can trust as they always wish for our well-being. This. results in strengthening of familial bonds, making family more powerful than friends. In conclusion, even though friends play a very important role in our lives, it is our family bond which is stronger and everlasting.

  15. Which is more important to you, friends or family?

    4 answer (s) found. Generally, family is more important than friends because family members are your closest biological and legal relatives, such as parents, siblings, and children. You spend a long time with family and those bonds are not easily broken. On the other hand, friends are chosen and can come and go.

  16. Which is more important in your opinion Family or Friends and why

    Friends are the group of humans outside of family and personally close to us .I have a lot of friends from when i was in junior highschool until now in university.But, from all of them i feel closest to my friends from senior high school.Because, like with my families, i have a lot of good moment with them too.

  17. Which is more important to you, friends or family ...

    Sample Answer 1: Both friends and family are incredibly important to me. I believe that a strong support system, both emotionally and socially, is vital for a happy and fulfilled life. Family provides a sense of security and love that is irreplaceable. They are always there for me, offering guidance, advice, and a listening ear.

  18. Which is More Important to You Friends or Family Essay

    Which is More Important to You Friends or Family Essay. There is a famous proverb, "blood is thicker than water". It means that blood relations are stronger and more important than friendships. But that remains a matter of opinion. Friend is someone you choose to be in your life. Whereas, family is inflicted upon you and there is nothing ...

  19. Some people believe that family is more important than friends

    Writing Samples /. Band 7.5. Some people believe that family is more important than friends. To what extent do you agree and disagree. # people # friends. A friend is a person who understands you and supports you in every stage of life. Some individuals believe friends are valuable than family. However. , Others think family is essential.

  20. Which is more important family or friend

    "Old is gold" - an old friend is definitely more important in life than a new friend [3] ~ 2016 - Writing Feedback 'nuclear family'; The extended family becomes less important than in the past [2] ~ 2011 - Writing Feedback 'my family friend, Javier.' - Influence Essay [2] ~ 2011 - Undergraduate; Best friend Monica - Someone important to me.

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    Friends can always leave, but family doesn't have that option. The people I surround myself with represent a beautiful tapestry of unique human relationships woven together by love, choice, and ...

  22. IELTS essay Which is more important- friends or family?

    For example, going to a party and drink a bit of alcohol without being judged. Secondly, family is there when you have moments of falling down or some kind of problems. Also, close friends sometimes can give you support as your family. People that are really your family and friends are whenever you need them.

  23. How did Raygun qualify for the Olympics? Is she really the best

    Malik Dixon is an African American who has been living in Australia for more than a decade and is a Sydney University graduate. He said Raygun made a total "mockery" out of breaking at the Olympics.

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    She says dairy is also important as we age — with elderly people needing 3.5-4 serves a day. "Because their appetite decrease, we want to focus on protein and calcium first. Then anything ...

  25. Some people say friends are more important than family

    This. essay will discuss why family is more valuable than others. Family is a range of. people. who truly care about you, explain what is bad and good and it is a place where you are grown by their love so no one never will be able to replace it. We are as human beings put at a high priority. people.

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    The choice will leave an indelible imprint on the image of Harris that is still forming for many Americans, who know her far less than they do Biden or former President Donald Trump, raising the ...

  28. Some people say friends are more important than family

    friends. , but you can't choose your family" is a very famous quote in our lives. Blood is much thicker than water; this. means our family will stay with us, and others may come and go. For the younger generation, friends. are more important and play a significant role compared to family. In my opinion,