The unique challenges adults face when forming new friendships

Children have 3 advantages to making friends.  Convenience of colocation is a given at school, in activities, in the community.  Openness as people if often more plentiful in children as they have had fewer experiences to close them off to certain types of people.  Resilience can be more available for some children that haven't become hardened or jaded by the rejection of others.  As adults, we have varying convenience for making new friends (though nothing as helpful as children do).  Adults are generally far less open and resilient towards the vulnerability and emotional risks involved in forming new friendships.  Some find success in meet-up groups, or activity-based settings where a common interest is a likely binder.  Others find even that approach challenging as many are not so defined by one particular interest.