 McClymont says performative friendships are often born out of jealousy toward another friendship or the fear of being seen as a bad friend. And she warns that those in these types of relationships may overextend themselves mentally, time-wise, and even financially in the form of gift buying. So if you've heard your teens say, well, if I don't do this, people won't think I'm a good friend, then they're probably in a performative friendship.