Reflect on a nonromantic, close, same-sex friendship. In what ways does your friendship match or deviate patterns of friendships described in the book?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

ANS: Answers will vary. Female students who believe that their friendships follow traditional feminine patterns discussed in Chapter 9 may focus on the importance of talk to the relationship, the willingness of both friends to disclose personal information and provide social support, as well as the difficulty they may experience expressing jealousy or dealing with feelings of competition. A less traditional friendship between women would be limited in scope and not personally disclosive.

Male students who believe that their friendships follow traditional masculine patterns may note that their friendships are formed “in the doing.” They may discuss the kinds of activities they engage in with their friends and they may note that their friendships are largely limited to those activities. They may discuss expressions of covert intimacy such as teasing interactions or exchanges of playful punches. Finally, they may discuss the respect each friend shows for the other’s privacy. When a friend is down, a typical response would be to do something to distract him from his problems, such as playing sports. A male who describes an atypical friendship with another man may focus on close, intimate conversations.