Homosociality

Abstract

The concept of homosociality describes and defines social bonds between persons of the same sex. It is, for example, frequently used in studies on men and masculinities, there defined as a mechanism and social dynamic that explains the maintenance of hegemonic masculinity. However, this common and somewhat overexploited use of the concept to refer to how men, through their relations to other men, uphold and maintain patriarchy tends to simplify and reduce homosociality to an almost descriptive term -one used to point at how men tend to bond, build closed teams, and defend their privileges and positions. The purpose of the present article is to investigate, explore, and discuss the concept of homosociality. We will introduce a distinction between vertical/hierarchical and horizontal homosociality. Hierarchical homosociality is similar to and has previously been described as a means of strengthening power and of creating close bonds between men and between women to maintain and defend hegemony. Horizontal homosociality, however, is used to point toward more inclusive relations between, for example, men that are based on emotional closeness, intimacy, and a nonprofitable form of friendship. Relating this distinction to the concept of and discussion on hegemonic masculinity, we will reconstruct and develop a more dynamic view on homosociality.

Privileging the Bromance: A Critical Appraisal of Romantic and Bromantic Relationships

“…In line with these findings, Hammarén and Johansson (2014) suggest that Bromances are same-sex male relations that "emphasize love, exclusive friendship, and intimacy… [and] are not premised on competition [or hierarchies]" (p.6).…”

“…The participant's preoccupation and essentialist approach to sex does not recognize the male capacity to withhold sex from their romantic partners to gain affection however. Unlike romantic relationships, bromances operate as "non-profitable" friendships that are based on mutual compatibility (Hammarén and Johansson 2014); not on the pursuit of selfgratification. For the men in this study, the absence of sexual desire in a bromance has placated the prospect of conflict.…”

Homosocial positionings and ambivalent participation

“…Th us, homosociality refers to same-sex interaction, which is characterized by certain social dynamics. Hammarén and Johansson (2014) argue that the predominant use of the concept of homosociality has relied on monolithic understandings of hegemonic masculinity and has tended to reduce homosociality to a heteronormative, androcentric and hierarchical term. In response, the authors propose a more dynamic understanding of homosociality that encompasses the "contradictory and ambivalent aspects of the concept" (Hammarén & Johansson, 2014, p. 2) and refl ects the complex ways in which same-sex individuals interact and bond.…”

“…Th rough showing and talking about the picture, the boy thereby positioned himself as sexually experienced, while the other boys were positioned as the audience of his sexual storytelling. By showing the digital picture, he presented an unambiguous piece of evidence of his sexual endeavour and was rewarded with high status within the group, which can been seen as an example of the vertical homosociality described by Hammarén and Johansson (2014). Although the boy could perhaps have obtained these social rewards by giving a solely oral account of his experience, the veracity of such an account may have been questioned by the other boys, considering their young age (14-15 years) and limited number of sexual experiences.…”

‘Power in the arm, steel in the will and courage in the breast’ – a historical approach to ideal norms and men’s dominance in Swedish club sports

“…27 Other central aspects of men's hegemony are the brotherhood or homosociality of men as a strategy that excludes women/femininity and men/masculinities that are not regarded as acceptable or desirable. 28 In short, this means that some men primarily choose, socialise with, look up to or are inspired by other men. The homosocial community is per se an inclusion of selected (male) 'friends' and an exclusion of other men and women without 'entry tickets' and where discrepant masculine and feminine ideals are marginalised in various ways.…”