Discursive constructions of expressing intimacy between two heterosexual male friends

Friendship is an important source of intimacy in people's lives (Fehr, 2004). Intimacy plays an important role in the relationship of being friends. The study aimed to focus on the social constructivist accounts of intimacy which argues that intimacy must be viewed in a relational context and that meaning of intimacy is negotiated through discourse. We used discourse analysis specifically Foucauldian Discourse Analysis to explore the meanings of emotional intimacy between two heterosexual male friends. Its purpose is to be able to focus on masculinity and its influences in emotional intimacy between male friends. The results showed that forming intimacy among male best friends undergoes through a gradual process of shared activities, level of comfort and self-disclosure.