Amizade e focos de atividade no ensino médio

The research aimed at investigating foci of activity which were perceived by adolescents as relevant for establishing and maintaining friendships. The participants were 24 adolescents aged 14-17 years old from Vitoria, Brazil, all high school students. Twelve students were from a public school and 12 from a private school, including 12 females and 12 males. The results are presented in seven items: (1) friends network; (2) origin of friends; (3) friendship, physical space and neighborhood; (4) general activities; (5) specific activities; (6) communication and (7) friendship and dating. It can be concluded that the foci of activity, as part of the social context in which friendships begin and develop, show similarities and differences between the two groups (students from public school and private school) that represent different segments or groups of the local society. The foci of activities also highlight the relevance of social, economic, geographic, religious and cultural factor to friendship in adolescence.