ABSTRACT
There are differences in the characteristics of adolescent girl relationships and the characteristics of adolescent boy relationships. Much of the gender differences in grieving patterns can be attributed to social norms that tend to view gender in set binary roles of male and female. These roles are often fostered by familial and cultural values and patterns and are learned early in life. Adolescent girls relate to their friends and develop relationships in ways that differ from those developed by adolescent boys. Adolescent boys tend to interact in groups of peers and are characterized by an activity-focused style. Yet they also develop deep close male friendships based on trust and loyalty, which challenges the touted gender stereotype of invulnerability. Based on socially prescribed and stereotypic perceptions of gender differences in friendships, it is no surprise that there are differences in how females and males are expected to grieve. Gender role socialization is not the only indicator of an adolescent's grieving style.
