The balance of power and rule is a potentially important--but frequently overlooked--element of friendships (Veniegas and Peplau.

The balance of power and rule is a potentially important--but frequently overlooked--element of friendships (Veniegas and Peplau, 1997) In comparison to the hierarchical power arrangement that often characterizes the parent-adolescent dyad, fellow experiences involve relationships with partners at a similar developmental flat and thus offer unique opportunities for youth to negotiate a more equal distribution of power and status than may be possible with parents (Piaget, 1932; Sullivan, 1953; Youniss, 1980) Presumably because of this emphasis forward equality among peers, few studies have explored the nature and implications of an unequal distribution of power--or dominance through one partner over the