Connection · 2026 survey
Friendship Formation
Thinking about the men you're closest to, how did those friendships mostly get built?
39% of young men say their closest male friendships were built by doing things together. 19% say by talking openly.
Topline, all respondents
- By talking openly about personal things18.8%
- Over time, by getting to know each other while doing things together38.5%
- Both about equally28.7%
- I don't really have close male friendships10.2%
- Unsure3.7%
Most common answer
Over time, by getting to know each other while doing things together
Share
38.5%
Respondents
800 registered voters, men aged 18 to 30
The numbers
| Response | Percent |
|---|---|
| By talking openly about personal things | 18.8 |
| Over time, by getting to know each other while doing things together | 38.5 |
| Both about equally | 28.7 |
| I don't really have close male friendships | 10.2 |
| Unsure | 3.7 |
Embed
<iframe src="https://youngamericanmen.com/embed/2026/friendship-formation" title="Friendship Formation, Young American Men Survey 2026" width="100%" height="480" style="border:0;max-width:48rem" loading="lazy"></iframe>
Citation
The Lafayette Company, Young American Men Survey 2026, “Thinking about the men you're closest to, how did those friendships mostly get built?”. 800 registered voters, men aged 18 to 30, fielded by Cygnal, September 15–18, 2026, margin of error ±3.46%. youngamericanmen.com/data/2026/friendship-formation
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