Reflection 06-B: Isn't It Bromantic?—The Rise of Bromances

Note: For your final reflection, you will write about two different topics: America's Breast Obsession (06:A) and The Rise of Bromances (06:B). Each reflection should be only one page long.

One interesting phenomenon over the past decade has been the rise of so-called "bromances," intimate, but non-sexual, relationships between American men. Affectionate male bonding has a centuries-long tradition around the world, yet American society has generally drawn rigid lines between two males who are friends—or at least we are lead to believe. Bromances are said to break down many of traditional barriers, allowing a man to be more expressive of both his own feelings and his feelings toward his friend. Just why American male friendships are seemingly more open these days is up to debate. Some argue these bonds have been shaped by everything from feminist mothers raising more emotionally-open sons to the gay rights movement to younger generations of men simply breaking from old societal taboos. If you are a man, have you experienced a bromance? Does it feel any different than any other male friendship? And if you are a female, what do theses relationships look like from the outside looking in? Has a bromance ever made you feel excluded?

Include at least two of the following pieces in your discussion:

• "Are You in a Bromance? (Or Is It Just a Man Crush?)" (Details)
• "Why I Love Guys Who Hug Other Guys" (New York Magazine)
• "Bromances Aren't Uncommon as Guys Delay Marriage" (Seattle Times)
• "The Joys of Bromance" (Huffington Post)
• "I Love You, Man (as a Friend)" (New York Times)
• "Male-ennials…and the Rise of the Wolf Pack" (MTV News)

Requirements:

• Must be in MLA Style
• Must be one full page in length
• Must include a works cited page

Due: We 04.16