Understanding older men and their male friendships: a comparison of african american and white men.
Friendships can lead to longer and healthier lives. Yet little is known about how older men, particularly African American men, define and carry out their friendships with other men. This article presents the findings from qualitative interviews with 23 African American and 23 White older men who were part of a larger study. The subjects were asked whether friendships are important; if they have enough male friends; how they define, carry out, and maintain their friendships; and the nature of their fathers' friendships. Comparisons are drawn between the African American and White men. Implications for social work practice are included.
Greif
Geoffrey L
GL
School of Social Work, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA. ggreif@ssw.umaryland.edu
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D033062:Friends / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008571:Men / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult