When we reach a certain age, the opposite sex, or even the same sex no longer is just a "playmate." As a child we looked upon them as merely friends or companions, but as we develop into an adolescent stage, we then become interested in them as partners to satisfy a "physical" need.

How we interact with this situation depends on various influences, mainly spawned from the family. Family plays a major role in a child's life. When a child is ready to begin this search, he or she will keep in mind the values that were instilled by their family.

The "family", is the base in which other influences grow; i.e. religion. A person's belief system can reflect what role partners partake in a relationship and what develops and stems

Desires and needs are different depending on what a person is looking for in the relationship.

It also, depends on what roles they take on in the relationship. Is a needy man seeking a woman who is willing to care for him like a mother because of his lack of nurturing as a child? Or is a woman seeking a gentle, soft-spoken man because her father was raving alcoholic? These key elements are produced to what a person is formed to in the relationship.

Relationships have so many different sides to them. We have relationships with everyone we meet. Although the most meaningful relationships, are the ones in which our souls connect and affect not only our lives, but others as well. If we can fine peace and comfort with our relationships and maintain a security with them, then perhaps we might then be able to continue to climb Maslows Triangle and move on to the next level of enlightenment, "our own self-esteem."

In today's world, it seems that relationships seem to start younger and younger each year. In my generation, relationships started to develop around the age of thirteen and fourteen. Where as today you see children as young as ten and eleven attempting to

Some common words found in the essay are:
Maslow's Triangle, Maslows Triangle, able continue, family family,
Approximate Word count = 794
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)