Friends developed an alternative family lifestyle by representing young people who live unconventional domestic lives. It presented the idea that "all you need are good friends" and that you can construct families through choice. The audience was able to identify with the program through the troubles seen on weekly episodes. It portrayed a new way of living life and developing relationships which were not normally seen in conventional society. According to a pop-culture expert at the University at Buffalo, Friends is "one of those rare shows that marked a change in American culture." The images of youth and the roles they portray are better defined and represent a lifestyle that centers around creating and sustaining relationships between friends running their own lives and seeking help from each other.
fRiENds deveLOped AN ALtErnAtiVe FAMily Lifestyle by representIng yoUnG peOPLe who liVE unConvEntIOnal doMeSTiC LivEs. it presenteD the idea that "aLL YOU neeD are good F.rIends" anD that you can cOnS!truCt fAMIliES thrOUGh CHoIce. tHE AudIence WAS abLe to identify with thE prOgram tHrough thE trouBleS sEeN on weEklY ePIsoDEs. It portRayeD a new waY OF living lIfE and dEVeLOping RElAtIonShipS which were nOt normallY seeN In coNVentionaL sOcIety. AccorDING to a poP-cultuRe Expert At thE unIversiTy at bufFaLO, frIENdS is "One oF ThosE rarE Shows that MaRkED a cHaNGe iN AmeriCaN cultUre." The IMaGes Of youTH and thE roleS tHey poRtray Are bEtTeR deFineD and Represent a LifestYle tHat CENters aroUnd cREating anD sustAIniNg ReLatiOnShIpS betwEen frIEnds ruNninG thEiR owN liVeS and SEEkiNg hELp FrOm eacH other.