Essay Sample on Friends: Boundaries and Perspectives Matter

Introduction

Most people tend to open up most of their secrets, hope, and insecurities to their best friends. However, respecting each other's boundaries is essential although violation is common in friendship is common, but in most cases, this happens intolerable levels. Besides, a friend should make an effort to see things from your perspective for the relationship to remain healthy. This paper discusses what might have been done to prevent the breakdown of the group between Rebecca Collier, David Rosenbluth, Fred Bly, and Victor Holik.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

The introduction of Viktor Holik into a group of three close friends led to its breakage. Was it not for him being in the group where the other three members knew each other well and even made jokes that were directed to the individual member personally, the group could not have broken down Although slightly introverted and quiet and seemed easy to get along with, he was also reckless. Initially, Holik was shy, and he did not know the limits of the group's sexual jokes, and thus he could turn down the invitation into the conversation. To be specific, Holik's comment on Collier's great leg broke the group cohesion. From that moment, Collier was withdrawn and no longer contributed much to the group as she could not concentrate well. Holik could have abstained from making such a comment to Collier as he was still a stranger in the group. Despite his first comment, at 12:30 am, Holik made another joke to Collier, which provoked her, and thus, she stood and left the group. In short, Holik's presence in the group and his comments towards Collier led to its breakage.

More so, the breakdown of the group could have been avoided by Bly and Rosenbluth reading Collier's mood after the first comment by Holik and cautioning him against using such personal remarks towards her. Instead, the two supported Holik, and thus Collier started to question the group's respect for her feelings. All this time, when Collier was suffering psychologically, David and Bly were laughing loudly and even urged Holik on. Collier felt belittled and could no longer bear with the three men degrading her. At this time, the other two friends could have to lead her mood and avoid cracking more sexual and hilarious jokes on her as it was clear she was no longer comfortable. Bly and Rosenbluth knew her very well, but they should have avoided targeting her directly in their jokes in the presence of Holik, who was a total stranger to Collier. After realizing that her feelings were hurt, the members could have apologized and focus on the project at hand for the remaining time to avoid provoking her again.

Besides, Rosenbluth could have avoided making jokes in a sexual manner towards Collier, who was the only lady in the group at such a time when they were under time pressure to complete the task. Although they had always engaged in such jokes, it was not healthy for the members to overuse jokes where Collier was the only target in the presence of three men. To be specific, His single loop made him ask Collier whether she spent the night in the club, and that's why she seemed so tired. This was not appropriate, as this might tarnish her reputation to Holik was new to her.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the breakdown could have been avoided by Collier. She struggled so much with bitter feelings after being embarrassed by Holik's comments. Although her defense mechanism worked at first, it gave the men a chance to continue targeting her with more sexual jokes and comments. In the first instance, she could have categorically stated that such jokes should be stopped until the group is over or some other day. Although she tried to stop them after the first comment by Holik, I believe that she could have used single-loop learning to prevent them before it was too late.