Buddy System: Understanding Male Friendships Book

Introduction 3

Pt. I Understanding Men's Friendships 15

1 How Do We Understand Men's Friendships? 17

2 What Do Friendship and Friend Mean? 45

3 So, How Do Friendships Actually Work? 64

4 What Do Men Learn From Their Fathers About Friendships? 95

Pt. II Understanding Women's Friendships 109

5 Do Women Influence Men's Friendships? 111

6 Do Women Feel the Same About Friends as Do Men? 127

Pt. III Men's Friendships Across the Decades 161

7 Marty in His 20s: Needing Friends and Family 163

8 Zach in His 30s: Balancing Family, Friends, and Work 171

9 Mal in His 40s: Continuing the Balancing Act 183

10 Mick in His 50s: Needing Friends More Than Ever 192

11 Michael in His 60s: Friendships Shaped by Early Experiences 202

12 Donald in His 70s: Going Strong 211

13 Tom in His 80s: Realizing All His Friends Are Gone 220

14 Fred in His 90s: Thinking Maybe It's in the Genes 228

Pt. IV Making and Maintaining Friendships 235

15 Men's Fellowship at a Saturday Morning Church Group 237

16 Stepping Up to the Plate With Your Friendships 246

Pt. V Appendices 261

Appendix A About the Study 263

Appendix B Questions for Men's Groups and Classroom Discussion 269

Notes 273

References 284

Index 295