Simply Bromantic

They are seeing movies, attending sporting events and eating in unison..who you ask? Most likely your boyfriend and his latest bff. Over the years women have commonly had close friendships and countless ladies nights over apple martinis. But now it seems that the men are leaving their ladies at home to chase their latest bromance. Maybe men find it easier to open up to their fellow kind. While men are commonly seen as less sensitive, we wonder why they don’t open up to us. But in a recent epiphany I have decided it is because they are secretly opening up to each other instead.  Men and women may never entirely understand what makes the other happy or sad, but we sure do love trying to figure it out.

Men stereotype women’s relationships as gossipy and clingy, but maybe it’s because they’re hiding their own same sex best friends. Women go to the bathroom in twos, yes, but men eat and maybe even nap in unison. Take it from an old episode of Friends. Joey and Ross enjoy an afternoon nap together, and are horrified when the rest of the gang walks in. This male camaraderie was spotted on one of the most famous television shows of our time. Yes, bromances are being publicized. Male friendships may mean more to your man than you thought.

            There are many famous male friendships that I just can’t overlook. Brody Jenner’s show Bromance didn’t last long, but sure made its point.  A newer movie, I love you man,centers on an engaged man who seeks a best man and new pal. Sure enough, a new friendship ensues. But bromances in no way ruin relationships. If anything, it encourages men to have relationships outside of just their girlfriends or wives. Even though women encourage it, it’s easy to become jealous when your man is fully invested in a new bromance. He’s borrowing hats, going to concerts and maybe even ditching your date night to go sledding with his bro.

            Bromances may be the new phenomenon. Males everywhere are searching for their bros, while we ladies continue the search for the fairy tale ending. What we never expected was for our knight to arrive with his wingman in tow. Maybe it’s because women are more willing to sacrifice things like friendship when a relationship ensues. The media may subtly ridicule male bonds, but they continue to be a source of entertainment for young audiences. From Ross and Joey to real life buds Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson, bromances are certainly more than a fad.

            Society evolves with media and popular television. As liberalization changes young people, it also changes their relationships. Maybe all this humorous publicizing of male friendships is simply cynicism of a conservative American past. Female bonds are becoming old news as HBO viewers are shifting their tastes. Sex and the City is fading into the past and Entourage is attracting men of all ages. Clearly, it is the age of glamorous male friendships. Beer and nuts is the new wine and cheese, Frisbee is the new nail salon, and male adventures are the new shopping adventures. An improvement? That’s up to you to decide.