Friendship ''steamier'' than sex for today's generation

Melbourne, May 23 : Friendship is more important than sex to the present generation, according to a top social demographer.

Bernard Salt explains, a change in attitude towards marriage and family over the past 10 to 15 years has resulted in people becoming more dependent on friendship.

Also, he claims it is the same reason why shows on friendships, such as 'The Sex and the City,' 'Friends' and 'Seinfield' are big hits.

"There is an increasing role now to be played by friends. The feeling is that husbands may come and go, partners may come and go, children may come and go, but your friends will always be there," the Courier Mail quoted Salt, as saying.

He added: "This is the reason why Sex and the City has been such a success."

Salt further charts the pattern of social relations in present times.

He explained: "Friends fill the gap between the end of secondary school and the start of a marriage . . . that's where the life-form of friendship blossoms best, from ages 18 to 28."

He added: "In that decade, your friends are the be-all and end-all. But now the gap between the end of secondary school and the commitment to a partner has expanded, so the territory of friendship has expanded.

"We are now hanging around friends for 10 years before wandering off and getting married."