The Nature of Female Friendships

Women often seek kindness, loyalty, and interpersonal devotion in their friendships. Research indicates that women are particularly distressed when friends fail to demonstrate these qualities, such as remembering important events like birthdays or being supportive during tough times. This desire for loyal and kind friends may be rooted in historical contexts where women relied on each other for support after marriage, often in patrilocal societies. This framework emphasizes the need for friendships that offer emotional security and social stability, reflecting evolutionary strategies that prioritized reciprocal altruism among female peers.