Friendships and Emotions


I feel like I have so many different types of friends in my life. The friendships with the friends my age is different from the friendships I have with my family. The friendships I have with people from my community is different than my friendships with my teachers. I would have to say most of my friendships fall under utility and pleasure because when I give something, I usually get something in return.  Although I would say my friendships fall under the same category, they are very different in one another. I do things for my close friends that I would not do for friends from my community or friends I do not see on a daily basis. With two of my close friends, I could argue that we are slowly moving toward a virtues friendship because at times I will do things for them and I would never expect anything in return. I could also argue that the friendship with my mother and father are even closer to a virtues friendship because I do things for them because I have the want and desire to complete their needs without expecting anything in return. And I certainly know they even go the extra step in doing things for my siblings and me because we are the most important things in their life so they never expect anything in return. I feel like when I go out of the way for my family and my closest friends I myself get enjoyment out of it because of what I am doing but I never expect anything in return. For virtue to happen I feel that two people must have the utmost respect, love, and trust between each other. The two must connect in a certain and special way in which nothing can block or hinder them from doing things for one another.

I come from a Catholic family and I was raised by my parents to always put God and church before anything else, even your own family. I was raised to believe in pro life and that abortions are wrong. In one particular situation during a class in high school, the topic of pro choice or pro life came up in class and without hesitation I spoke what I believed in and how I felt. It became a heated argument and I was voicing my opinion with some of my closest friends. I felt like it was my duty and responsibility to stand up for my faith, for my parents, and for myself because everything I was once taught was being challenged. I felt like when I was speaking to the class words were flowing out of my mouth confidently and perfectly to where no one could tell me I was wrong. I felt like I was completely right and no one could change my beliefs or what I was saying. In a way I also felt like I was changing how other people viewed this controversial topic towards a stance of pro life. It could have been my confidence and emotions in my body running every way deceiving me, but I felt like I was challenging and affecting what others thought. Everyone respected me in the end for voicing my opinion and others were also agreeing with me. Because I am Catholic, I too respected the ones who disagreed with me and did not think negatively about them. I understand not everyone will agree in life, so it is our duty to either try to change them or to respect them for who they are and what they believe in.