To what extent do you think women still have a better opportunity to forge deeper friendships than men? What needs to change to level the friendship playing field for men, if anything?
I think that both men and women can forge the same deep level of friendship with a person. I will say that the friendships might be different as well as the things that make these friendships closer. Women might show their friendship differently than men do. I have some amazing friends that I consider my brothers that I share a very deep friendship with. I believe that the opportunity to forge these friendships is available to everyone if they choose to engage in it. In my opinion if a man doesnt show the affection towards another man like women show to one another it doesnt mean its less valuable. Foucault stated, “modern society seems to be especially anxious about the way people behave in it” (Vernon, 2010). In todays society people are encourage to show their feelings and express themselves. Men are portrayed to have a lesser friendship amongst them because they dont show the same affection, which I totally disagree. I dont feel that I have to be showing affection in order to prove the level of my friendship. If I need affection I will ask for it. A good example was when I was deployed to Iraq. We were going through some hard times and I told my good friend I needed a hug. He gave me one without hesitation. That hug made us feel better and nothing thought nothing of it. As I stated, people dont have to show their affection every day to show how deep their friendship is. I dont think anything needs to change to level the playing field. If you choose to engage in a deep relationship then do so without worrying what people might say. If you are letting yourself be influence by peoples opinion you will never be happy.
How is the role of the metrosexual man helping to forge a new pathway for male friendships?
Metrosexual men are forging a new pathway for male friendships in a way that male affection is not being view as homosexual. The metrosexual man has showed that it is ok to want to take care of your body and to show your true self without being labeled as something else. Thanks to the metrosexual trend, guys now can actually conduct activities without the fear of being labeled as something they are not. The metrosexual male is less interested in blood lines, traditions, family, class, gender, than in choosing who they want to be and who they want to be with (Vernon, 2010, p. 204). I agree with this because it allows male individuals to be free to be able to show who they want to be friends with regardless of what other think. I think because of metrosexuals more men today can be more confident in doing things they like without being judge in any way. Sullivan states that the main difference between homosexual men and heterosexual men is not that of sexual preference but their ability to sustain friendship (Vernon, 2010). I feel that this comes down to the individual. I dont think that a homosexual is more capable of sustaining a friendship than a heterosexual or a metrosexual just because of their sexual preference. They might be able to show their feeling and affection more openly but that doesnt mean they can sustain them any differently.
Reference
Vernon, M. (2010). The Meaning of Friendship. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.
Circle of Friends (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) [Video File, 2 min 48 sec] Retrieved from http://vlib.excelsior.edu/login?url=http://digital.films.com.vlib.excelsior.edu/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=8496&xtid=6749&loid=36153
