Forced friendships

5 replies

caravanette · 29/11/2019 18:39

AIBU to ask what in your opinion is the worst likely consequence/s of patents forcing children into unwanted friendships cos of parents misguided beliefs that they're 'doing the right thing'?

OP posts:

DeathStare · 29/11/2019 18:47

This so vague. What's the context? How old are the children and who are they trying to force them to be friends with? and why?

Original poster

caravanette · 29/11/2019 18:57

Age is 13 but really it can be any age - the 'child' was me so it's not a situation that's current

OP posts:

CAG12 · 29/11/2019 19:02

My parents tried to force a friendship on me when I was about 11ish. I didnt particularly like her to begin with, then despised her after being forced to spend time with her.

But your story is so vague though in not entirely sure how my story can help you. Are you still friends with the other person? Are they clinging on to you? Did you find it weird and you're just ruminating on it?

Whoops75 · 29/11/2019 19:06

Depends on how often you had to see her.
I had to spend time with children of my parents friends which was awkward but thankfully not too often.

DeathStare · 29/11/2019 19:06

Hmmm...... that's still rather vague. And I think context does matter.

I mean my mum certainly forced me to spend time with her friends' kids at that sort of age as the families all hung out together. We were expected to get on though not necessarily be the best of friends. I think that was fairly reasonable

My mum also tried to guide me towards who she thought the nicer of my school friends was, and away from the kids she thought were trouble. She could be rather forceful but it didn't really have any impact on what I did.

My abusive ex used to accuse me of forcing my DD to have friendships she didn't want when I used to take her to baby group. I now recognise that was part of the abuse.

I have an adult friend who moves in circles where she has contacts/acquaintances who might be useful to her father's business. He often tries to convince her to develop deeper friendships with these people than she otherwise would. She does when it suits her and tells him to get stuffed when it doesn't. It's annoying but not harmful given that she has a backbone.

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