Missing Out .
Masculinity in heterosexual male friendships, are disabling men from the breadth and.
depth of an intimate and close relationship that is more commonly known to women. In this.
paper, I will first discuss the scholarly definition of friendship along with some of the benefits.
that one receives from having friends. Secondly, I will offer my definition of friendship. Third,.
I will point out the major differences of same-sex friendships between men and women. From.
there, I will explain how masculine roles are possible reasons why these differences of same-sex.
friendships between men and women exist. I will then give an explanation of why men are so.
reluctant to break the molds of masculinity. Finally, I will discuss why the ideological role of.
masculinity is so damaging for men. I will now begin by discussing the definitions of friendship.
and why they are a beneficial-commodity. .
"Throughout history, as explained by Bleizner and Adams, friends have been considered.
people who offer us affection and enjoyment, understanding and support, companionship and.
counsel" (28). Donellson and Gullahorn define friendship as "an intimate, personal, caring.
relationship with attributes such as reciprocal tenderness and warmth of feeling; reciprocal.
desire to keep the friendship; honesty and sincerity; trust; intimacy and openness of self; loyalty;.
and durability of the relationship overtime" (156). Friends serve us with three essential.
functions. First, friends can be a provision of personal gain. The things that we can acquire.
from a friend are material needs, help and/or support. Second, friends spark our cognitive.
process, creating new ways of thinking from shared experiences, activities and the formation of.
different points of views and ideas. Friends can help us to look at things in a new light that we.
may not have perceived before. The last function friends provide us with are social-emotional.