9 Silent Behaviors of Men Who Don't Have Close Friends

Accordingly Newport Institute research on male friendshipsA large percentage of heterosexual cis men struggle to maintain healthy connections with friends due to societal pressures against vulnerability and the urge to prioritize romantic relationships.

While this trend doesn’t apply to all men and certainly doesn’t keep everyone from maintaining healthy friendships, there are some silent behaviors of men who don’t have close friends and struggle with social pressures that affect isolation and lack of community among many men. in their daily lives.

Here are 9 silent behaviors of men who don’t have close friends

1. They develop dependent romantic relationships

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Men’s social circles are shrinking at an alarming rate, at least A survey conducted by the Center for the Study of American Life. Compared to women with higher hookup rates, only 1 in 5 men has recently received emotional support from a male friend. Especially for men in romantic relationships, this desire for connection and companionship can rub off on their partners, who just as often long for time with friends.

The tendency to forgo making new friendships and instead invest all of your energy in one partner may seem healthy at first, but triggering feelings of codependency and resentment in the long run.

2. They live at home longer

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Especially for today’s younger generation of men struggle with financial stability With high debt rates, rising costs, and societal pressures to be a “provider” even in an insecure job market, many people spend more time living with their parents than living at home on their own.

Although this is not a straightforward choice, most people have no choice; Without the transition from friendship to roommate, they often do not have the means to live on their own or purchase a place without a source of additional income.

During Research from the Newport Institute suggests that close family relationships are incredibly important for men seeking connection, but they certainly do not replace the peer companionship and support of close male friendships, creating a toxic cycle of isolation for men longing for community.

3. They have difficulty expressing their emotions and vulnerabilities

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According to personal development coach James Michael SamaMany men struggle to harness the power of emotional intelligence, and most of the time it’s not their fault.

Societal pressures condemn many men, even today, who openly share and show their difficult emotions, stress, and anxiety. Without the shared connection and trust of a close male friendship, they suppress their feelings because of a misguided expectation of hyper-masculinity that further closes the door to friendship.

When men struggle to go deeper surface of a masculine personality and while they acknowledge their feelings, they also struggle to maintain healthy connections that truly add purpose, value, and community to their lives.

4. They isolate themselves in stressful situations

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Another of the most common silent behaviors of men without close friends is their tendency to withdraw when stress or intense emotions become too intense to hide. Without the usual nature of asking for help or leaning on friends, instead they try to hide.

According to Robert Garfieldis a psychiatrist and author of “Breaking the Male Rule: Unlocking the Power of Friendship“Men who have difficulty with emotional intimacy will isolate themselves when things get tough, especially when they need help and support the most.

5. They have difficulty with active listening

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Many men who don’t have close friends have difficulty with active listening, especially when it’s something that directly conflicts with their identity and, more specifically, their beliefs, values, or morals. They build a wall in “defense mode” against perceived threats to their identity and hear selectivelyready to respond.

Without practicing vulnerability and compromise in close friendships, they have difficulty flexing the muscles of active listening, a skill that is difficult to master in large part because the average person retains only 25% of the information obtained from conversations. Research from Harvard Business Review.

Due to a complex and inherently intertwined cycle of hyper-masculinity, lack of vulnerability, and communication practice, many men without close friends are left behind.

6. They are extremely competitive

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While competition can be healthy, men’s tendency to compete Being pressured towards a certain level of competitiveness From a young age, this often leads to an innate sense of insecurity; It’s an inner monologue that suggests you can always be better and do better.

This same competitive advantage is almost impossible to forget and can often compromise and pervert the nature of truly healthy close friendships, especially with other men. It becomes a barrier to connection, actively pushing aside support, empathy, and mutual respect in an effort to assert superiority.

7. They rely on unhealthy vices

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Without the connection and companionship of close friendships, many men fall into a cycle of isolation that negatively impacts their daily lives, routines, and mental health. A. 2016 study conducted by epidemiologist Nicole Valtorta He argues that loneliness is not just a symptom that occurs in the brain, but has harmful physical consequences, such as a 30% increase in the risk of stroke and other diseases.

These lonely men, especially without the encouragement of friends, indulge in unhealthy habits, including vices, that put both their health and well-being at risk. They may be crafty in public, but at home, they end up increasing the levels of depression, anxiety, insomnia and stress they feel. The result of the lack of close circle.

8. They only have ‘event dates’ with friends

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Research from Friendship and Social Interaction argues that on outings with friends, women are more likely to be “face to face”, while men tend to be “side by side”. While women may spend the entire get-together bonding, talking, and engaging in conversation, men tend to do activities like going to a sporting event or watching a movie where there’s no room for conversation.

This cycle of distant, superficial interaction is not just one of the silent behaviors of men without close friends; keeps them away taking acquaintances to the next level of precision.

9. They are workaholics

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Many are The nuances of connecting with other men and maintaining healthy relationships is incredibly complex; it is rooted in social expectation and vulnerability; Some men who don’t have close friendships don’t prioritize this.

They may immerse themselves in work, “freeload” from their partner’s social circle, or even forget to answer calls or messages from friends, which can keep them from forming their own close-knit inner circle. The pressures to be a service provider or have a successful career largely take precedence as they are more socially recognized and celebrated by men.

Zayda Slabbekoorn is a news and entertainment writer at YourTango, focusing on health and wellness, social policy and human interest stories.