Mary was considered a loner, and not accepted by too many people ...

[BrownTown3]

Mary was considered a loner, and not accepted by too many people in fourth grade. But Mary had a best friend and several other good friends. In what ways can peer acceptance, and peer rejection, influence development in middle childhood?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Explain how the qualities children look for in friends change during middle childhood, including any differences between what boys and girls tend to expect out of friends.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[abro1885]

Answer to Question 1

Children need friends, and they also need peer group acceptance.
The peer group can be a rough place.
Peer acceptance has positive consequences.
Longitudinal studies show that peer acceptance is associated with people who are prosocial, above average academically and athletically, and have good senses of humor.
Peer rejection has negative consequences.
Longitudinal studies show that peer rejection predicts future externalizing problems.

Answer to Question 2

General changes in friendship qualities:
Younger children (age 7 to 9) think a friend is someone available and fun.
Children age 10 to 11 think a friend is someone who also shares their values, sticks up for them, and is loyal.
By age 12-13 children think friends should share similar interests, attempt to understand one another, and exchange sensitive information.
These expectations about friends are generally shared by boys and girls.
Boys report more direct and physical aggression among friends and girls report more relational aggression.
Girls also report more intimate exchanges of information, more instances of help or guidance, and better conflict resolution than boys.