Male and female friendships are different and
alike in many ways. They differ in how men and women can relate to each other
both physically and emotionally. Men and women also differ in the communication
aspect. In both friendships, there is a certain level of competitiveness, and
the friends obviously will have the same interest in common. Friendships will
differ from person to person because of the different personalities, but there
will be the same likes and differences.
Physical and emotional closeness
definitely is different for men and women friendships. Women can be physically
close to each other and be very comfortable, for example sleeping in the same
beds, holding hands, hugging and kissing on the cheeks. Whereas male
friendships, would never be that comfortable doing the things that women do. The
closest males will get, would be patting each other on the butt when there is a
good play on the field. Males and females are taught early by their elders that
line not to cross with the same sex. Women are taught to be more intimate while
men are taught that intimacy is somewhat seen as a weakness. Emotionally women
differ from men because they are more open with their feelings. Women can cry
and express their feelings with no inhibitions, while once again crying for a
man would be seen as a sign of weakness. Female friendships can somewhat be seen
as a stronger relationship for the simple fact that they are more intimate on
the emotional and physical level.
When it comes to communication, it is said
that men got the short end of the stick. For example, when women don’t talk to
each other for a couple of days, sometimes those days will be seen as the
friendship is coming to an end. If a man does not talk to his friend on a
regular basis, to a man that just means that their friend is either busy or is
just hanging with other friends. Men are better with confrontation then women. A
man will come right out and tell his friend that he is upset with his actions,
whereas a woman will act as if nothing is wrong and continue the friendship and
eventually blow up at her friend.
In both friendships, there will be a
certain level of competitiveness, whether or not the sexes admit to it. Both men
and women compete for the opposite sex. There are other things that they compete
at such as academics, sports, looks, video games and just about everything in
general. No matter if it is a male to male, female-to-female or female to male,
in all friendships there must be a common interest. Without that interest, there
is no friendship. Whether it is a mutual friend or what kind of beer you like,
that interest must be present or there is no reason for the friendship.
Different personalities will obviously determine who will be friends. Male
and female friendships are alike in that they both are seeking friends with the
same interest and they compete with each other. Men and women friendships are
different in that they take their friendships to different emotional and
physical levels. When it comes to communication men tend to be more
straightforward with confrontation then women, because women let things slide
and eventually that could be the death of a friendship. Friendships vary from
person to person but can come down to the same likes and differences.