Friendship in the 21st Century: Social & Global Media
Social Media is playing an integral part in the establishment of friendships, not only on the local and national basis, but also on the global basis. Today it is now as easy to keep in contact with an individual in the middle of a third-world nation, as it is with someone in the same country. In some instances it can even be easier. The expansion of globalization has allowed many nations to jump technological tracks that other, more developed nations had to lay down.
In Saudi Arabia, social media is become more prevalent. Women and men alike are using it to develop friendships, not only in Saudi Arabia, but abroad too. The more connected individuals become the easier they are able to communicate with cultures that differ from their own. In conversation with Razan, she pointed out that greater access to the media has also allowed to the public. The internet is gradually changing the peoples opinions about the outside world and is also allowing more access to the general population in Saudi Arabia (Razan Al Mas, Skype conference, December 2, 2012).
Conclusion
Maintaining friendships can be very difficult, especially if those friendships are spanning across continents and oceans. Friendships are important all over the world, but can look very different from one another. Saudi Arabia has been heavily influenced by western culture in the last few decade and the idea of friendship is gradually drifting towards that of a more westernized notion. With increased access to social media people are connecting with each other, across the world, on a daily basis. Being able to maintain a friendship with an individual abroad can be very difficult at first, but the more that each of you learn about each other’s cultures the easier it will become. The Cultural Identity Theory states that people are able to maintain multiple cultural identities and that those identities are constituted though the exchange of information with people from different cultural identities. Being able to manage different cultures and being open minded about them will allow a friendship between two individuals to flourish, no matter the difficulties that might stand in the way.
In Saudi Arabia, social media is become more prevalent. Women and men alike are using it to develop friendships, not only in Saudi Arabia, but abroad too. The more connected individuals become the easier they are able to communicate with cultures that differ from their own. In conversation with Razan, she pointed out that greater access to the media has also allowed to the public. The internet is gradually changing the peoples opinions about the outside world and is also allowing more access to the general population in Saudi Arabia (Razan Al Mas, Skype conference, December 2, 2012).
Conclusion
Maintaining friendships can be very difficult, especially if those friendships are spanning across continents and oceans. Friendships are important all over the world, but can look very different from one another. Saudi Arabia has been heavily influenced by western culture in the last few decade and the idea of friendship is gradually drifting towards that of a more westernized notion. With increased access to social media people are connecting with each other, across the world, on a daily basis. Being able to maintain a friendship with an individual abroad can be very difficult at first, but the more that each of you learn about each other’s cultures the easier it will become. The Cultural Identity Theory states that people are able to maintain multiple cultural identities and that those identities are constituted though the exchange of information with people from different cultural identities. Being able to manage different cultures and being open minded about them will allow a friendship between two individuals to flourish, no matter the difficulties that might stand in the way.
References
Gareis, Elisabeth (2012). Intercultural Friendship:Effects of Home and Host Region. Journal of Intercultural Communication Research; Nov2012, Vol. 5 Issue 4, p309-328, 20p. doi: 10.1080/17513057.2012.691525
Gareis, Elisabeth, Merkin, Rebecca, Goldman, Jeffrey (2011). Intercultural Friendship: Linking Communication Variables and Friendship Success. Journal of Intercultural Communication Research; 2011, Vol. 40 Issue 2, p153-171, 19p, 1 Chart. doi: 10.1080/17475759.2011.581034
Hall, J. A., Larson, K. A., & Watts, A. (2011). Satisfying Friendship Maintenance Expectations: The Role of Friendship Standards and Biological Sex. Human Communication Research, 37(4), 529-552. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2958.2011.01411.x
Martin, J. N., Nakayama, T. K., & Flores, L. A. (2002). Readings in Intercultural Communication: Experiences and Contexts. McGraw Hill, Boston, MA.
Rude, J., & Herda, D. (2010). Best Friends Forever? Race and the Stability of Adolescent Friendships. Social Forces, 89(2), 585-607.
Gareis, Elisabeth, Merkin, Rebecca, Goldman, Jeffrey (2011). Intercultural Friendship: Linking Communication Variables and Friendship Success. Journal of Intercultural Communication Research; 2011, Vol. 40 Issue 2, p153-171, 19p, 1 Chart. doi: 10.1080/17475759.2011.581034
Hall, J. A., Larson, K. A., & Watts, A. (2011). Satisfying Friendship Maintenance Expectations: The Role of Friendship Standards and Biological Sex. Human Communication Research, 37(4), 529-552. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2958.2011.01411.x
Martin, J. N., Nakayama, T. K., & Flores, L. A. (2002). Readings in Intercultural Communication: Experiences and Contexts. McGraw Hill, Boston, MA.
Rude, J., & Herda, D. (2010). Best Friends Forever? Race and the Stability of Adolescent Friendships. Social Forces, 89(2), 585-607.