Date of Award
Spring 5-2015
Degree Type
Dissertation-Restricted
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Program
Counselor Education
Major Professor
Dr. Roxane L. Dufrene
Second Advisor
Dr. Barbara Herlihy
Third Advisor
Dr. Zarus Watson
Abstract
Differences between female and male same-sex friendships have been the subject of numerous studies. Additionally, male same-sex friendships have been studied independent of the differences related to female same-sex friendships. Despite these studies, a comprehensive, agreed on definition of male friendship remains unclear or ill-defined. The manner in which men perceive, express and experience same-sex friendships can be viewed as learned behaviors based on gender schema and sex typing. Men’s friendships, as viewed through the gender schema theory, are shaped through the association of gender based male identity and male behaviors. This phenomenological study investigated male perceptions of same-sex male friendships. The broad research question for my study was how do men experience friendship? Through interviews with eight men, data were collected, analyzed by each case that produced a total of 52 themes for all participants, and then a cross-case analysis produced nine super-ordinate themes. The resultant super-ordinate themes were the basis for responding to the main research question and five specific research questions. Findings from my study allowed for the identification of specific components important to the participants regarding their friendships. A second finding was related to social expectations of participants’ friendships. Implications of my study revealed that although men are generally assumed resistant to counseling, they look upon counseling favorably. For counselors and counselor educators, a better understanding of the way men experience friendship could ultimately be a resource for better practice in the way men are attracted to and perceive the counseling practice.
Recommended Citation
Williams, Gerard, "Men and Friendship: An Exploration of Male Perceptions of Same-sex Friendships" (2015). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 1996.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/1996
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.