Reflection 2: Isn't it Bromantic?—Male Intimacy in the Era of Bromances

One interesting phenomenon this century has been the rise of so-called "bromances"—intimate, but non-sexual, relationships between men. Affectionate male bonding has a centuries-long tradition around the world, yet American society has generally drawn rigid lines between two male friends—or at least, that's what we've been lead to believe. Bromances are said to break down many of the traditional gender barriers, allowing a man to be more expressive of both his own feelings and his feelings toward his friend. Today, male celebrities, athletes, even politicians, are often lauded for their strong male friendships. Just why American male friendships are seemingly more open these days is up to debate. Some argue these bonds have been shaped by everything from feminist mothers raising more emotionally-open sons to a greater acceptance of LGBTQ people to younger generations of men simply breaking from old societal taboos. 

If you are a man, have you experienced a bromance? Do they feel any different than any other male friendship? What sets them apart? And if you are a female, what do theses relationships look like from the outside looking in? Has a bromance ever made you feel excluded, even jealous?

Include at least two of the following pieces in your discussion:

• "The Case for Hugging Your Bros" (GQ)
• "Why I Love Guys Who Hug Other Guys" (New York Magazine)
• "'Bromances' are Good for Men's Health Says Science, so Maybe it's Time We Stop Being Weird about Men Having Close Friendships" (Bustle)
• "Ninety-three Percent of Straight Men in this Study Said They’ve Cuddled with Another Guy" (HuffPost)
• "Bromance over Romance, Say Men in New Study" (Psychology Today)

Required:

• Approximately 2 pages
• MLA Style, including parenthetical citation and works cited
  

Due: Thu 9.23-Tue 9.28 (via Canvas)