This study addressed the question of how relationships differ in terms of how
children function within them. A total of 652 children of both sexes from ages 9 to
13 rated how frequently they use 56 social rules in one of two check-lists in
getting along with mother, father, brother, sister, close friend, other friend,
other kids, and teacher relations. Manovas, 8 X 5 X 2 (Relations X Age X Sex) showed
that rule use was governed mainly by relation. Compared to other kids, compliance,
social facilitation, information management, prosocial behaviour, loyalty, and
managing feelings were rated more frequently in the close friend, mother, and father
relations, revealing broad similarity between parent-child and close friend
relations. However, the means for social facilitation were uniquely higher for close
friends. Compliance and loyalty applied equally to mother, father, and teacher
relations but compliance also applied to close friends. Loyalty was the only theme
held in common between siblings and close friends. Age and sex differences were
minor. Results confirmed the salience of relationships in governing social rule use
between close friends, other friends, and other kids; parents, close friends, and
other kids; close friends and siblings; and parents and teachers.
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