The Friendship Crisis: Finding, Making, and Keeping Friends When You're Not a Kid Anymore (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "MAYBE there are some women who have never felt lonely for friends, but I doubt it..." (more)
Key Phrases: shy women, New York, Judy Jordan, Census Bureau (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Marla Paul brings together the moving personal experiences of many different women with the keen insights of psychologists and other relationship experts in "her wise and helpful book on this much neglected subject," -- Harriet Lerner, Ph.D.

"With terrific insight and sensitivity, Marla Paul articulates what is so often felt but rarely explored: the various ways friendships tear and repair the human heart. Just as dear friends help us make sense of life, this book deepens our understanding of a relationship that so many of us cherish in theory but neglect in fact. Read it and pass it on."-Lauren Cowen, author of Girlfriends

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Finding friends was as effortless as breathing when we were kids-they slid into the seat next to us in class or lived across the street. Making friends as adults, however, can challenge even the most gregarious of women. They're shocked to discover how hard it is and secretly fear they're the only ones having a problem. But they're not. For many midlife women today, traditional social ties have been frayed or torn by such common life-changing shifts as: lMoving to a new town lLeaving a communal office to start a home-based business lBecoming an at-home mom lBeing divorced or widowed The Friendship Crisis provides women with a pathway out of isolation and into the warm embrace of friendship. Written in a lively, conversational style, it brings together the author's own experiences, profiles of women who managed to forge satisfying new connections at various stages of life, and the insights of psychologists and other relationship experts. In candid, resonant stories, women describe the strategies they used to overcome shyness and fear and take the first steps toward building a friendship. Included are tips for turning casual ties into lasting bonds and innovative ways to meet people with similar interests or needs. Paul also discusses friendship-boosters and -busters, how to be an enthusiastic friend without being overly aggressive or needy, accepting a pal's limitations, healing conflicts, and establishing a rhythm both friends find satisfying and comfortable. Recent research has proven the strong links between intimate friendships and mental and physical health. Filled with practical ideas and confidence-building advice, The Friendship Crisis will be the start of a lot of beautiful friendships.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books (March 18, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579547451
• ISBN-13: 978-1579547455
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #139,813 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy read but geared more toward women with children, May 3, 2004

By A Customer

I read this book thinking that it would help ANY woman find more friends. Well, while it has some good tips that can be put into practice by any woman, it is largely geared toward women with children. That wasn't the help I needed as I do not have children. If you do have kids and live in a larger city, this book would be a lifesaver. Very well-written and easy to read... I got through it in about 3 days.

64 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book on a subject not commonly covered, September 3, 2004

By	Stephanie S. (Nottingham, MD United States) - See all my reviews

While perusing the "New Non-Fiction" section of my library, I came across this book. I think it is very well written, and expresses many of the feelings I was ashamed and embarrassed to express, or didn't really realize were there. I really thought I was rare in the fact that I have very few female friends beyond work acquaintances, and in the fact that I long for that to change, but am too shy to do much about it. When we are kids, making friends is easy. What about those women working from home, or living in rural areas? If all the people you come in to contact with in an average day are the check-out lady and the bank teller, what's a woman to do? It gives some tidbits and ideas for making new friends, talks a good bit about the importance of female companionship to our well-being, along with info on things like how to know if you should cut a friend loose and what to do when your child's friend is no longer friends with someone who's mother you had become close with (that was wordy, I know). Anyway, I think this is a unique book worth reading. Those who give it just a star or two probably do so because they have many friends and therefore cannot relate to the content.

139 of 157 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars For married mommies only, July 23, 2005

By	Anne Masterson (CT United States) - See all my reviews

If you are a single woman without children, this is not the book for you. I was extremely disappointed in this book, especially given all the five star ratings. It took me less then ten minutes to read any portion relevant to my own life, as it was almost exclusively about maintaining friendships when you are married and especially if you have children. Furthermore, I completely reject the idea that a woman without children must make all the sacrifices to maintain a friendship with a woman who has children which is the premise of this book. Friendship is a balancing act and the sacrifices should not be placed on the shoulders of one person.

And while other reviews have stated this book says men do not need friends, I did not see that. However, this book is exclusively about female friendships with other females and does not include men in the equation at all. After all, women can be friends with men.