Strong Bonds, Fewer Words: Inside Male Friendships

From book clubs and group fitness classes to milestone birthday trips and standing dinner dates, women's friendships are often visibly celebrated in everyday culture while men's friendships tend to be quieter and less publicly reinforced, making them appear less essential by comparison.The truth is practically all men -just like women -see friends as an essential part of a happy and healthy life.But there are important differences in the nature of male and female friendships.According to an AARP Friendship Study conducted in October 2025 among adults age 45-plus who have one or more close friends, men report having slightly more close friends than women, having known them longer, and are more likely to include the opposite sex among their closest ties.Other differences emerge in what friends share and how time is spent together: men tend to keep interactions lighter, while women are more likely to go deeper.And while men do work to maintain contact with their friends, they are less reliant on frequent texting or daily digital touchpoints than women.