A poll published at People.com has found 56% of women would rather be trapped in quarantine with their closest female friend over a romantic partner – including 60% of millennials between the ages of 24 and 39.
And an overwhelming 89% said that their friendships with other women are important to them, with almost a quarter (23%) calling them “essential.”
Of the 2,000 woman polled, 47% believe the pandemic has brought them closer to their best female friend, and 45% communicate with their best friend more now than they used to before the pandemic. Yet another 54% – including 60% of millennials – have developed a new best friendship as a result of becoming close with someone else during the pandemic.
The survey, commissioned by BloomsyBox and conducted by OnePoll, also revealed that the typical woman has known her best female friend for an average of 12 years. Regardless of gender, 59% of women said the pandemic made them realize that their current best friend will be in their life forever.
When asked to describe how their best friends helped them in 2020, respondents shared stories about women who sent them care packages, helped to pay bills or buy groceries, delivered home-cooked meals and offered emotional support during tough times.
Eighty-nine percent also said these relationships have helped them cope during the pandemic, with over one in 10 (12%) women saying they “wouldn’t be here without” their best female friend. 52 percent even said they miss seeing their best friend more than they miss their immediate family.
For some respondents, there’s a much stronger overlap between friends and family members – over half, in fact, (55%) said their best friend is a member of their family, and 70% said they’d probably still be friends with family members even if they weren’t related.
Another 55% also said that they consider their mothers to be their friend before they consider her to be their parent – and 68% said they’re close with their moms, compared to 53% who said the same of their fathers.
(original story published Women Would Rather Quarantine with Female Friends Than Partners: Survey | PEOPLE.com )
