Why is PayPal charging me a fee to send money to a friend?

I'm curious to understand why PayPal is imposing a fee on me for sending money to a friend. As a user, I've always assumed that peer-to-peer transactions would be free or at least less expensive than traditional banking methods. Could you elaborate on the reasons behind this fee structure? Is it a standard practice in the cryptocurrency and finance industry, or is it specific to PayPal's policies? Additionally, are there any alternatives that offer more cost-effective solutions for sending money to friends and family?