A new study has found that married men are far more likely to be without a close friend they can turn to in a crisis or serious situation than men who are single.
According to the research, 11 per cent of single men said they did not have a close friend outside the home compared to 15 per cent among married men.
The findings emerged from a research carried out by the Movember Foundation, the group behind the annual charity fundraising event in which men grow moustaches for the month of November, The Telegraph reported.
The YouGov survey for Movember asked men to say how many friends, if any, outside the home they would discuss a serious topic such as worries about money, work or health with. Just over half (51 per cent) said two or fewer but one in eight overall said none.
The results of the study suggest that men have fewer close friendships as they get older, with only 7 per cent of those under 24 saying there were no friends with whom they would discuss a serious topic but 19 per cent of over-55s.
And while marriage offers lifelong support and companionship, the study suggest marriage make men cut their ties with their friends.
The study also found that even after a divorce, the chances of men having close friends they could turn to for help doesn’t still improve as it still remains at 15 per cent.
“One of the things we see is that men are out of the habit of striking up new friendships,” said Sarah Coghlan, country director for Movember UK, according to The Telegraph.
“Women are quite comfortable with striking up a new friendship and saying ‘Hi do you want to go for a glass of wine after work or even see a film next Tuesday’.
“For men that’s just not socially acceptable in the same way.
“We have to find innovative means that are out there, how do we get men to reconnect with each other.
She continued: “Men are expected to then spend time with their wives, and that’s normal and natural and very healthy, but at the cost perhaps of friendships that they need to invest in.”
Phil