Understanding Camaraderie Among Boys

I'm not sure I'll ever understand how boys and men interact. It's a mystery to me. They can say and do things that would have most women in tears, such as calling one another ugly. But I think men's relationships with other men are healthier and less complicated than female friendships, in many instances.

Your hub was a fascinating read, teaches ... and the comments too! Voted up ++.

This also goes the same with girls. Whenever I'm in a room full of people, the first people I approach to are girls. I love this article.

An interesting read. It is good to know that guys, and people for that matter are basically programmed to get along well with each other.

I have a 17 yr. old son, and I can relate to this Hub. I've been trying to get my son to get a haircut for weeks without success. One of his buddies told him he needed a haircut. Well, that did it!! My son is very loyal to his buddies and they to him.

Voted UP, etc.etc.

I love the commraderie among boys. Having several sons myself, it was amazing to watch this behavior as they grew up. I think that free play with minimal input from adults is a great way to allow this behavior to blossom. (Voted up and beautiful)

I notice how my son naturally relates to his friends in a very male way that is foreign to me, as women relate to one another on such a different level. Could you imagine joking around and poking fun at another woman's appearance? Men do this with each other all the time.

Camaraderie, now that's a word we don't hear too much of these days teaches12345. It kind of fizzled out with the 'gay' crowd, to mean light-hearted and carefree.

Camaraderie among both genders is fundamental to healthy growth, but it shouldn't stop when one gets to a certain age, as it so often does. I've read quite recently that men who cut ties with their fellows at middle age and older, often end up lonely and isolated later on in life, and that's just not good for their general health and wellbeing. It's for this very reason that the Men's Shed projects are becoming so popular across Europe and Australasia in recent years, as we older guys plug back into social networks and once again reconnect with our peers, only this time it's the "Old Boys Network."

Andy Aitch

Dianne, this is such an important part of development for boys, and it was so well described here, including with the chart. I'm grateful for your detailed explanation and examples.

It saddens me when I don't see children with friends. I was especially moved by the information that there is a supportive fellowship. This is a much different feeling than merely belonging to a club or organization, or even to a gang. For boys to have healthy relationships they need to know that their friends are behind them despite any lighthearted teasing.

It's when teasing becomes an act of tearing down someone's self esteem that it is no longer fun and just mean spirited. There are plenty of those cases around, and plenty of adults who offer role models for meanness.

UP/A/U/I/ and shared across.

Great essay teaches12345! I was drawn to it because my son has had some trouble blending in with the two older kids in our new neighborhood. He's 3, they are 7 and 9 and he gets bullied a good amount. Hopefully we'll see more of the cooperation you talked about next year! In the meantime he has gotten pretty close to some kids at his daycare. It's great to hear his stories of comraderie. I enjoyed your Aristotle reference.

Ben

Very interesting insights. I have a 10 year old child and I learned a lot from what you have provided.

Insightful hub! As a teacher myself, I can attest to your keen observations that boys express through physical action. Thank you for taking the time to observe, process, and express what you experienced!

It is interesting to note how friendship changes as a child matures. I love how you used the bowling experience to show camaraderie in action. Voted up.

Growing up with three brothers and all boys for best friends I completely understand. It is especially interestimg to see it shine through during times of competition.

Great hub and super useful for raising my 7 year old son! And he fit all the descriptions in the table you added throughout the ages/milestones he's been through so far.

You know neither of my children had that 'I want it my way' attitude I am so proud to say (1boy-1girl and they are far from perfect now) my son has a friendship that has lasted more years than I want to say, lol, and I don't look for it to ever end. If they ever had even a disagreement without laughing I sure never heard about it. We need to learn that secret. ^

Boys hold less of a grudge! Sharing again, Dianna!

Your hub is so insightful and you are right camaraderie among boys is so important. My son is now 10. He has several close friends near home and also online games. It is interesting to watch him interact with both.

Boys look out for each other, and if they get mad it is quick and they get over it.

Hi teaches12345! Very well written practical hub which is full of teaching for how one should commend themselves in the path of life for that fuller upbringing.

I have one 17 yr. old son and I can tell you, his friends are very important to him. Choosing the "right" friends are SO important, I think, cause our children can be influenced so much by their friends. So far, my son has chosen his friends well, and I am very proud of him.

Voted UP and shared.

Dianna, great article. I have a daughter so never really got an opportunity to discover much about boys. If anything, I have made assumptions (which was wrong of me!). When I worked at a primary school, I got a much better idea of the dynamics of boys friendships. Your article really explains the stages well, very interesting.

It can be quite a challenge to understand a boy's need for his buddies, as they never express it as well as girl's do. Thanks for sharing, and passing this around!

Thanks much for sharing from your experiences. That you went with your grandson's class is a point making this worth the read, but what you drew from the time with them gives important insight into boy's friendships. Fostering trustworthiness through their relationships helps boys hone skills that keep them from becoming passive in their family and future work relationships. We need them to learn to become good leaders! History teaches us that building their value by allowing them to function in their miniature communities (with age-appropriate supervision) rather than demasculinizing them though social change is imperative for society as well as for them personally. This is a jewel of a look at camaraderie among boys!

This is so interesting and voted up Dianna.

Enjoy your weekend.

Eddy.

This is so interesting and voted up Dianna.

Enjoy your weekend.

Eddy.

Hi Teacher,

I've been away, but now I'm back!

I raised 2 Sons who were very close and really did not fight, always protective of one another. A lot changed when they started dating and eventually married...I Enjoyed this well written and researched Hub, very Informative indeed!

Once they hit a certain age (and it differs for each individual) boys are definitely more physical in their relationships with each other than girls are. Though girls form comradery with their friends as well. Whether its peer pressure or true friendship they need to spend time with their friends and learn from each other and shared experiences.

Nicely done teaches!

Voted up, useful, and interesting.

A comprehensive look at relationships among boys! Yes,friendships are vital.... or they would feel did connected! Thanks for sharing!

Excellent perceptive and explanation of camaraderie. Girls can certainly experience the same kind of bond, but their common interests might differ.

And then there are the uprooted and confused, seeking camaraderie in the wrong circles.....

Voted up, informative and well-presented :)

Boys really have certain ways in showing their loyalty to friends. Thanks for sharing the information about the level of friendship. It is really very helpful for teachers and parents.

Have a nice day! :-)

Camaraderie was very strong when I was in High School. It was s0 strong that I was ready to get thrown out of school but not reveal who broke the classroom door. As I grow older, the feeling of brotherhood is passing away.

I grew up with two younger brothers. There are obvious differences between girls and boys at all stages of life. From my perspective now as an official senior citizen...I do think that the camaraderie between men seems to be easy and fun. It must have been so much fun to see your grandson interacting that way with his bowling buddies. Up and interesting votes.

I found this hub so interesting. I am parenting three girls, but provide childcare for a family with four boys and a girl and have to say that boys are so very different then girls in how they play and have friendships. This hub really helped de-mystify them to me. Well done.

I have two sons. They are now in their thirtys with their

Own families. My boys are the best....now i have two grandsons...this is the best hub.....blessings....deb

wn

This was very interesting to me. I have a ten year old daughter, but she tends to have more friends who are boys. Enjoyed your chart and can see a lot of similarities with my daughter. Shared because I think this is a great hub with loads of info for parents.

teaches, loved this! To bask in the comfort of Camaraderie is a rare and precious treasure.

Friendships for children and boys is vital. As you said the one who lacks friends may become deficient in knowing how to cooperate, negotiate, and problem-solve.

Love how you referred to the Proverbs verse: "There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Jesus is the truest example of a friend .. the one that layed down His life so we might live. Enjoyed the truth in Spurgeon's quote as well, ""friendship and love, to be real, must not lie in words, but in deeds." It caused me to think of Faith and works. Our works are the outward evidence of our love and Faith.

Great hub full of truth teaches. Thanks! Voted Up +++ I will also feature this hub on my FaceBook writers page tomorrow. (Found on my profile)

Blessings and Hugs!

Mekenzie

Boys will be boys. I was just chatting with a friend today about how relationships with boys are different than with girls. Boys are more laid back and not "catty" while girls, you know, could be a bit more difficult due to hormones. Oh those hormones. Funtastic hub Dianna, I enjoyed the bowling story, I was hoping he's knock that pin down.

An interesting hub and observations.

It is true that boys do bond through activities more so than girls. What I noticed with my son and daughter was that the boys didn't fall out like the girls did, the girls would argue over something minor, fall out and then be the best of friends again 2 days later. But I never saw that with the boys at all, their friendships seemed to be constant.

Great hub which gets one thinking about the differences and the way boys bond.

I think one of the differences in male and female friendship styles, which you touch on in this hub, is that women use conversation to strengthen bonds. Men use shared activity and effort. Voting this Up and Interesting.

An interesting and insightful hub. Action speaks louder than words and this holds true for great friendship. Boys have their own style of expressing friendship! Great hub.

It is so interesting how boys' relationships change as they age. My little son Nolan (5 years old) is definitely in the "what is in it for me?" stage. My 7 year old has more sophisticated relationships and enjoys the teamwork and is a definite rule-follower. Both boys love their team sports and adore their friends.

Girls talk and boys do ! very interesting and informative hub, God bless you, Dianna.

Good morning precious sister.

Very well written.

I think boys are much more physical in their interactions, including giving praise, than girls.

God bless you with wonderful adventures with your big boy (Your husband).

This is an interesting and informative hub, Dianna. I always enjoy reading your observations and analysis! I hope you have a great Easter.

Friendship and camaraderie does a lot to mold character and develop a good social human being.

Great read, my friend.

Voted up and interesting.

This is really interesting, and I totally agree with the mirror theory, I have seen my son and his friends together many times, and even though they all have their own personalities I do see them having so much more in common, the old saying you can tell someone by their friends is so true, they say girls talk and boys do, and that is so true, great hub, voted up! nell

It is interesting to observe boys and girls as they play and socialize while growing up. Before attending pre-school, boys and girls who were once close playmates may begin to play separately. When they reach elementary school this divide becomes permanent. The girls may be playing as mothers with babies (dolls) in strollers or in a doll house. The boys prefer to wrestle with each other and often enjoy interfering with the activities in which the girls are engaged. But vive le difference!

Enjoyed your fascinating hub, Dianna.

Nice piece of writing. I extended some of this into manhood when I spent 23 years in the Army. After I left I didn't really miss most of that experience but I did, and still do, miss the camaraderie.

Nice Hub.

The Frog

Interesting thoughts, Dianna. My first thought when I saw you were going to tackle this subject is .....how can she know about this subject when most boys don't understand what makes them tick. LOL You did well my friend.

Happy Easter!

I am a mother of 3 boys and I love this hub as it is spot on. I remember the different stages they went through as they grew and this brings back memories. Awesome hub.

Thank you for this. In 7th grade I became a loner.

Lovely hub teaches. Boys who develop healthy friendships do seem to have a more secure sense of themselves....girls too for that matter. I am in the UK staying with my best friend of over 30 years.

Howdy teaches12345 - Good article and interesting to read. As I recall how it was when I was coming along in boyhood, we boys did lots of stuff together - camping, pickup baseball and football, swimming at the lake, fishing, boating, and on and on. During much of those years we rather thoroughly ignored girls. They were totally boring. they played with dolls, dressed funny, didn't go for baseball and the stuff we liked, and so forth. Of course, all of that thinking changed by and by, hastened along by the same things that made our voices deepen and whiskers appear under our noses. :-)

Gus :-)))

Boys to girls and women to men..so different. Men talk about politics, motorcycles, sports etc.. Women well we get into the nitty gritty of life. So glad we are different.