That figure drops to slightly less than a third of men.
And we’re not just making generalizations about gender here.
Should men be taking a closer look at the female friendship handbook?
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We’d argue yes.
Strong communication traits are often ascribed to women but are not uniquely feminine.
The quality of friendships and the ability to openly communicatenot the number of friends you haveis what matters.
Amber Petrozziello, LMHC
Accepting our emotions is a uniquely genderless thing to do.
Women generally embody qualities that tend to make them natural communicators.
Societally, they’re encouraged and supported in making deliberate efforts tofoster and grow meaningful friendships.
That relational aspect carries a strong mental health component.
Experts say there is a reason women flourish in this area.
I believe that women may need more reinforcement than men when it comes to friendships.
The advantages are there.
The internal ability is present in everyone.
So why arent more men tapping into it?
And is it even necessarily a problem that they arent?
In 1990, only 3% of men said they didnt have any close friends.
Now, 15% of men make that claim.
Relationships and friendships are also a part of the problem.
The good news is that change is on the horizon.
It’s more about doing what feels true to you and what’s best for your mental health.
trying to improve their friendships and increase platonic intimacy.
Romanoff continues, There is a certain level of physical vulnerability that occurs during an intense workout class.
These Universal Friendship Qualities Can Promote Mental Health
Open communication is an ability all people possess.
Its stereotypical to say that only those with female attributes foster healthy relationships.
The key is putting into practice what works for you.
There are a lot of practical ways these days to foster friendships.
Almost daily I recommend people find others they can connect with.
Finding people you relate to brings a level of satisfaction and contentment that benefits you mentally and emotionally.
And that helps improve your mental health.
Accepting our emotionsis a uniquely genderless thing to do.
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Survey Center on American Life.
Mayo Clinic.Friendships: Enrich Your Life and Improve Your Health.
Crespi BJ.Oxytocin, testosterone, and human social cognition: Oxytocin and social behavior.Biol Rev.
2014;8(2):58-72. doi:10.1111/spc3.12087
Cox, D.American Men Suffer a Friendship Recession.
Survey Center on American Life.
Beyond Blue.What Causes Anxiety and Depression in Men?.
