Friendship as a Social Institution Friendship as a Social Institution George J. McCall, Michal M. McCall, Norman K. Denzin, Gerald D. Suttles, and Suzanne B. Kurth |J Routledge jjj^^ Taylor & Francis Group LONDON AND NEW YORK First published 1970 by Transaction Publishers Published 2017 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN 711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017, USA Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business Copyright © 1970 by Taylor & Francis. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. Library of Congress Catalog Number: 2010024458 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Friendship as a social institution / George J. McCall ... [et al.]. p. cm. Originally published under title: Social relationships, Chicago : Aldine Pub. Co., [1970]. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-202-36355-4 (alk. paper) 1. Interpersonal relations. I. McCall, George J. HM132.S57 2010 302.3'4--dc22 2010024458 ISBN 13: 978-0-202-36355-4 (pbk) Contents PREFACE vii 1 The Social Organization of Relationships, George J. McCall 3 Organizational Components of Relationships Organizational Dynamics of Relationships Organizational Change in Relationships Conclusions 2 Boundary Rules in Relationships and Encounters, Michal M. McCall 35 Boundary Rules and the Focus Threats to the Boundary Rules—Alienation and Change Conclusions 3 Rules of Conduct and the Study of Deviant Behavior: Some Notes on the Social Relationship, Norman K. Denzin 62 The Nature of Social Relationships Relational Morality and Propriety Perceptions of Relational Impropriety Relational Morality and the Broader Social Order 4 Friendship as a Social Institution, Gerald D. Suttles 95 The Cultural and Situational Elements of Friendship Self Exposure and Institutional Restrictions on Friendship The Private Culture of Friendship Conclusion 5 Friendships and Friendly Relations, Suzanne B. Kurth 136 Desirability of Friendly Relations Friendly Relations in Contrast with Friendships Factors Affecting Bases of Association Organizational Constraints on Association Processes of Friendship Formation and Development Friendship Development and Maintenance Character of Negotiation Within a Stable Relationship Summary and Conclusions 6 A Collaborative Overview of Social Relationships, George J. McCall et al. 171 The Nature of Social Relationships Organizational Dynamics Organizational Change Interorganizational Relations Functions and Dysfunctions for Individual and Society Problems of Research BIBLIOGRAPHY 183 ANALYTICAL INDEX 191 Preface The analysis of social relationships is among the many neglected problems in modern sociology. Although the special importance of dyadic relationships between individuals was remarked on by the pioneer figures in sociology, and although social relationships are a numerous and widely prevalent species of social organiza­ tion, they have generally received short shrift since at least the be­ ginning of World War II. The reign of macrosociologists has contributed to this neglect, of course, and sociologists interested in interpersonal phenomena have been more interested in small groups and interactive encounters than in social relationships. What dyadic analyses we have had in modern times tend to focus on role relationships rather than social relationships. Nevertheless, there remains an interest in social relationships as proved by an occasional article and recurrent sessions at pro­ fessional meetings, as well as by the layman's personal concern with his own 'relationships." Papers of generalizing theoretical import on social relationships are particularly uncommon. Consequently, when I chanced to encounter the five essays that constitute the core of this volume and discovered the unusually clear theoretical links among them, I felt they would profit from common publication. vii viii Freface The independent preparation of these papers needs to be prop­ erly emphasized. Although all five authors have been associated with the Urbana campus of the University of Illinois during the 1960's, and although some of us had known each other, none of us had discussed our respective ideas on social relationships with another. The close theoretical affinities of these papers stems entirely from our common exposure to the symbolic interactionist tradition. To explore the mutual relevance of our respective ideas, a conference was held at the Chicago Circle campus. It was de­ cided there that our five papers should be published in their virtually original form to preserve this independence of thought and that our collective discussion of social relationships be con­ fined to a collaborative final chapter in an "overview." To guide the reader toward this collective overview, brief editorial intro­ ductions have been added to the essays to provide continuity, tacitly explicating the rationale for the order of presentation. G.J.M. Contributors George J. McCall is Professor of Sociology at the University of Illinois, Chicago Circle Campus Micha! M. McCall was formerly an Instructor of Sociology at the University of Illinois, Chicago Circle Campus Norman K. Denzin is Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of California, Berkeley Gerald D. Suttles is Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Chicago Suzanne B. Kurth is Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Tennessee ix