On Platonic Male Relationships with Elwood Watson, PhD
There has been no shortage of articles and literature chronicling the supposed crisis in male relationships. Websites and publications such as Salon, Men’s Health, Psychology Today academic journals and other sorts of publications have written at length on the lack of real personal camaraderie and intimacy among American men. Among all groups in America, white heterosexual males have the fewest number of friends. In addition, the relationships that they have with other men are often much more platonic and guarded than those of other groups. Slightly more than a decade ago , sociologist Lisa Wade wrote a particular piece on this topic that garnered ample attention from many quarters.
The theories as to why so many men have a deficit of friends vary. However, there does seem to be one commonality. American men are in a state of crisis when it comes to male companionship. That being said, there are a number of reasons as to why this situation exists. We live in a society where men are taught to be strong, rugged, and brawny. While these expectations have been punctured to a certain extent, they are still prevalent enough to give many men pause in engaging in behavior that may be seen as deviating from what is seen as “appropriate behavior.”
Historically, society has promoted the message “real men” do not express their emotions. They do not complain of being in pain, discuss their fears, insecurities, apprehensions etc. And they most certainly are not supposed to display any sort of emotions either in public or private. It has been an unwritten rule that men are to be as impervious as possible. Failure to uphold or maintain any of these qualities disqualifies you from being seen as a “legitimate” male.
Another factor is that men are supposed to be competitive. Whether at work, romance or play. In the world of masculinity, life is supposed to be an ongoing competition. Men are expected to be saviors. You are expected to be competitive and as good, if not superior, to your fellow male counterparts. You are expected to immerse yourself in an environment that is ripe with passion, intensity, and grit. Being number one is what counts. Men are supposed to be the ultimate alpha males.
Some of this behavior is due to the pressure that men put on one another, but some of it is due to the attitudes of women. Men are in competition with each other for women. Despite the fact that some women argue that they prefer the kind, thoughtful, sensitive, caring male–and some women truly do– the fact is that many women prefer men who embrace the strong, herculean male image. While many women say they want the kind, sensitive, thoughtful Alan Alda male more than a few women desire the Don Draper/MadMen type of man.
Truth be told, many of us have witnessed our own personal experiences of men who lived/live solitary lives. Going to work, consuming alcohol (often alone), watching sports (sometimes with a group of guys), occasionally chasing sex. Yet, when it comes to being intimate with other men, the emotional line is drawn. They surround themselves in an emotional fortress. They become distressingly impervious. They regard sharing and open feelings as weakness, possibly feminine, and the sight of being viewed in such a manner terrifies them into an emotional silence.
To be sure, not all men buy into these rigidly prescribed (arguably unhealthy) roles. There are a number of men who are secure enough and have no problem opening up and sharing their emotions with other men. They realize that doing so does not make them less masculine or emasculated. In fact, in other parts of the world, particularly in Europe and Africa, men are very intimate with one another. Heterosexual men kissing one another on the cheek, hugging and in some cases, holding hands is common and no one blinks an eye.
The fact is that men need to be assured that showing interest in having intimate relationships with other men is not a sign of weakness or being feminine. This message needs to come from both women and other men. Men need this permission from the women in their lives and from other men. The media aides this idea with its rampant depictions of gorilla testosterone (often handsome and well built), callous, to hell with everyone, often solitary images of men surrounded by nature, occasionally a beautiful woman and little else. The message is the only things a real man needs is a rock-hard body, a sexy woman by his side, and his confidence.
Men also need to be better informed that, like women, we are multifaceted human beings. We exhibit a plethora of characteristics and attitudes. Women are given wide latitude to enact upon their emotions and develop and maintain long term and meaningful friendships with one another. Men should not have to apologize for wanting permission to do the same.
The fact is that when it comes to sexuality, America is still a very young nation compared to the rest of the world, and we are evolving on a number of issues. Transforming perceptions of masculinity (and femininity) and sexuality in general is one such issue. Hopefully, as our society moves further into the 21st century, more men will realize bromance is not a sign of vulnerability or weakness, but rather a strong endorsement of manhood.
Guest contributor Elwood Watson, PhD, is a Professor of History, Black Studies and Gender and Sexuality Studies at East Tennessee State University.