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A defining characteristic of friendship is that it is___
A defining characteristic of friendship is that it is___
Friendships are characterized primarily as being voluntary, personal, and based on equality, with involvement and affect as other key features. They are mutually chosen relationships that include emotional support and shared activities, and they can thrive even with infrequent interaction.A defining characteristic of friendship is that it is voluntary. According to communication scholar William K. Rawlins, friendships are characterized by being voluntary, personal, based on equality, involvement, and affect. These elements distinguish friendships from other interpersonal relationships such as romantic or family ties. Aside from being voluntary, friendships involve mutual influence and a concern for the welfare of the other, often involving activities and emotional support. The voluntary nature of friendship implies that friends choose to invest time and emotional resources into the relationship without any form of coercion or obligation, which defines the personal and equal nature of the bond.Friendships do not require daily interaction but instead rely on long-term commitment and can thrive even with infrequent contact, highlighting their resilience and the importance of emotional connection over proximity. The nature of friendship involvement can differ greatly between pairs of friends, illustrating individual interpretations of what friendship entails, yet affect remains a consistent characteristic displaying care and concern within the relationship....