What does " This allows more negotiation of the terms of the relationship" mean? Our relationships with friends are very different from those with parents and siblings. Unlike family relationships, particularly adult-child relationships, peer relationships are based on a degree of equality between the participants. This allows more negotiation of the terms of the relationship. Also, unlike family relations, which one cannot pick and choose, peer relationships can be relatively easily established and just as easily destroyed. Our parents and siblings are generally stuck with us whether they or we like it or not. But there is always the danger that friends, if we say or do something that hurts or annoys them, will declare, ‘I’m not your friend any more.’ Children therefore need to make much more of an effort to strengthen and maintain relationships with their peers than with their