I honestly don't see any reason to have to choose between the two, coz each plays a different role. This is like comparing apples to oranges.
Family is the inception of our existence. Parents are our first teachers who teach us about simplest things, make us understand life better & become more confident about ourselves.
(True) Friends on the other hand are your confidante, your true well-wishers, people who accept you for what you are, people with whom you can share your childhood memories, your 4 a.m. person who'll always be there for you when you need them the most.
Some friends are like soulmates, who sometimes become as close as family & some family members, mostly your parents, can become your close friends if you make the effort to understand them & are more confident sharing things with them.
So for me, both are equally important, in their own different ways, no comparisions.
Pika Pika :chu: