Bromance

Unraveling the stereotype that men’s friendships are unemotional and shallow, this book provides the first detailed account of the bromance that exists among young men. Drawing on one year of ethnography and 20 in-depth interviews among a university sport team, the authors show that these men reject traditional masculine boundaries, instead prioritizing an emotional and tactile form of friendship. Chapters detail the cultural shift in society’s views on bromances, showing that bromances exists as an elevated, more emotional and intimate form of friendship, existing as a further positive consequence of decreasing cultural homophobia. By focusing on sport—which has traditionally been seen as a homophobic environment with toxic constructions of manhood—the authors show that even in the most traditionally masculine of settings, young men are rethinking what male friendship looks like, what it means to be a man, and the positive impact this can have on their mental health.

This book will be relevant to a number of audiences including scholars and students in masculinity studies, queer studies, and friendship studies; LGBTQ+ activists and allies with interest in straight men’s friendships and sports cultures; and men’s mental health advocates.

The precipitous decline in homophobia among straight men has enabled old forms of male sociability to re-emerge. Even among that most masculine of activities - sports - "bromances" can blossom into emotionally sustaining friendships. This is the first serious study of the bromance, revealing a more complex picture of men's emotional lives.
Michael Kimmel, former Professor of Sociology, Stony Brook University, USA

"​Could it be that modern male friendships are evolving? The question implies an obvious answer, but there’s been surprisingly little cultural dialogue about how men’s friendships are changing—until now. Robinson and Anderson present the “bromance” as a serious and legitimate topic of inquiry. Rigorous yet also accessible, this book will change the way you think about masculinity, identity, intimacy, and friendship."
Amin Ghaziani, Professor of Sociology and Canada Research Chair in Urban Sexualities, University of British Columbia, Canada

“Built on a bedrock of research showing a dramatic shift to men's friendships, and supported by both ethnography and interviews, Bromance illustrates the beauty of modern love between heterosexual men.”
Mark McCormack, Professor of Sociology and Director of the Centre for Equality, Justice and Social Change, University of Roehampton, UK

Stefan Robinson completed his PhD on the study of Men and Masculinities at the University of Winchester, UK. He has published works across a range of topics and publishers and is currently working to develop robust and meaningful public policy in UK Local Government. 

Eric Anderson is the leading authority on the changing nature of heterosexual men’s masculinities, and is currently Professor of Sport, Masculinities and Sexualities at the University of Winchester, UK. He has published over 20 books and nearly 100 peer-reviewed research articles related to sport, masculinities, and sexualities.