A study of youngsters in China and Finland suggests that teenagers uniformly emphasize the value of close friendships, but the reasons they give are culturally influenced.

References:

Keller, M., et al. 1998. Reasoning about responsibilities and obligations in close relationships: A comparison across two cultures. Developmental Psychology 34(July):731.

Bukowski, W.M., and L.K. Sippola. 1998. Diversity and the social mind: Goals, constructs, culture, and development. Developmental Psychology 34(July):742.

Sources:

Monika Keller
Max Planck Institute for Human Development
Lentzeallee 94
D-14195 Berlin
Germany