From Stoicism to Bromance: Millennial Men’s Friendships

Over previous decades, Western masculinity has frequently been conveyed through men’s desire to distance themselves from femininity. This perspective has led many men to ground their masculinity in extreme homophobia, emotional stoicism, competition, and violence. However, as societal norms of masculinity change—allowing for a greater variance in expressions of masculinity—more men appear to be moving away from these historical representations of masculinity. Contrary to the repressive masculine norms of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, research is now showing growing numbers of men embracing a significantly more inclusive, tactile, and emotionally diverse approach to masculinity. Naturally, this change in perspective has also impacted on their same-sex friendships. This chapter explores the changing nature of male friendships in contemporary Western culture, showing how a decline in homophobia has led to the rise of the “bromantic” friendships, particularly among sporting men.