Describe the gender differences in same-sex adult friendships

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer: Throughout life, women have more intimate same-sex friendships than men. Extending a pattern evident in childhood and adolescence, female friends often say they prefer to “just talk,” whereas male friends say they like to “do something” such as play sports. Barriers to intimacy between male friends include competitiveness, which may make men unwilling to disclose weaknesses. Because of greater intimacy and give-and-take, women generally evaluate their same-sex friendships more positively than men do. But they also have higher expectations of friends. Thus, they are more disapproving if friends do not meet their expectations. Of course, individual differences exist in friendship quality. The longer-lasting men’s friendships are, the closer they become and the more they include disclosure of personal information. Furthermore, involvement in family roles affects reliance on friends. For single adults, friends are the preferred companions and confidants. The more intimate young adults’ same-sex friendships are in terms of warmth, social support, and self-disclosure, the more satisfying and longer-lasting the relationship and the greater its contribution to psychological well-being. Gay and lesbian romantic relationships often develop out of close same-sex friendships, with lesbians, especially, forging compatible friendships before becoming involved romantically. As they develop romantic ties and marry, young adults—especially men—direct more of their disclosures toward their partners.