Are Friends Better Than Family?

B1 – Intermediate

For most people, friends are just as important to them as their families while others can easily choose one over the other.

A study shows that one between these two types of relationships is a better predictor of health and happiness, so which one do you think is it?

Let’s find out:

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/health-lifestyle-friends-or-family/3952739.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of the study?
  2. Do you feel that, “Blood is thicker than water.”? Or do you feel that friends are more important? Or do you think both are equally valuable? Explain.
  3. How do members of a family support each other? / How do friends support each other?
  4. Do you prefer to have many friends or just a few close ones? Explain your choice.
  5. What are the benefits of having just a few close friends? How about the benefits of having many friends? Are there disadvantages for both too?
  6. How close are you to your family? How about your extended family? (cousins, aunts, great uncles etc.) Why is this the case?
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4 replies on “Are Friends Better Than Family?”

• What do you think of the study?

I think that that depends on your personal situation. There are many people that when alone with the family will be happier than people with many friends.

Also, there will be people that need to have family and friends to be happy.

It is true that if you have support in your life with family and friends, everything will be better.

• Do you feel that “blood is thicker than water”? (Family comes first.) Or do you feel that friends are more important? Or do you think both are equally valuable?

When I was younger I thought that friendship was more important, but now I think that family holds a higher position.

• How do members of a family support each other? / How do friends support each other?

Families support each other by having contact and forgiving mistakes.

Friends support each other by listening, advising, forgiving, and staying in touch.

• Do you prefer to have many friends or just a few close ones?

I prefer to have a few friends, but meet a lot of people. Friends should be special.

• What are the benefits of having just a few close friends? How about the benefits of having many friends? Are there disadvantages for both too?

I think that it is better to have a few good friends than to have a lot, but the ideal is to have good friends and family. Friends and family contribute different things.

• How close are you to your family? How about your extended family? (cousins, aunts, great uncles etc.)

I usually have lunch or dinner with my family (sisters and parents) twice a month. Also, I usually have lunch or dinner with my wife’s family.

I like calling my aunt and talking in the WhatsApp family channel.

With my friends, I like having a few beers and talking.

You are doing great practicing your writing consistently.

Note some minor changes you can make in this sentence to improve it:

Also, there will be people that need to have family and friends to be happy.

Also, there will be are people that who need to have both their family and friends to be happy.

Keep going!

What do you think of the study?
I’m surprised about the results of the study.
Do you feel that “blood is thicker than water”? (Family comes first.) Or do you feel that friends are more important? Or do you think both are equally valuable?
I agree that you can choose your friends but not your family, but I think that as you get older the relationships with your friends change. You can have very good friends but they are not always in your day a day life. If you get along with your family they are more likely to support you unconditionally.
How do members of a family support each other? / How do friends support each other?
The members of my family are always worried about and try to help each other. I have some very good friends who I think that I could count with if I needed, however, they are focused in their own lives and not pay the same attention to me that my family do.
Do you prefer to have many friends or just a few close ones? What are the benefits of having just a few close friends? How about the benefits of having many friends? Are there disadvantages for both too?
I think that having a few of very close friends is very important, but having other friends just for spending good time is also beneficial. Close friends are people that will support you and who you can talk about your joys and worries. Having other not so close friends may give you company or fun in lots of moments.
How close are you to your family? How about your extended family? (cousins, aunts, great uncles etc.)
I have a very close relationship with my parents and siblings. However, I barely have relationship with my extended family.

You did a very good job writing your responses to this lesson’s discussion questions.

Take a look at how this sentence can be written better:

I have some very good friends who I think that I could count with if I needed, however, they are focused in their own lives and not pay the same attention to me that my family do.

I have some very good friends who I think that I could count on if I needed help. However, they are focused on their own lives and do not pay the same as much attention to me that as my family does.

Keep doing this writing exercise to consistently practice.

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