Answer :
Final answer:
The factors explaining sex differences in same-sex friendship and intimacy are d) emotional restraint and homophobia. Men in U.S. culture face societal expectations that discourage physical expressions of same-sex closeness, which can be linked to the fear of homophobia, while women experience more fluidity in this regard. Therefore, the correct option is D
Explanation:
The question asks which factors have been shown to explain some of the sex differences in friendship and intimacy, particularly in terms of same-sex closeness. The correct answer is d) Emotional restraint; homophobia. This response is supported by research that indicates different societal expectations are placed on men and women with respect to the expression of nonsexual same-sex relations, a concept described as homosocial behaviors.
Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick's work elaborates on the idea that males in U.S. culture face a clear divide between homosocial (nonsexual same-sex relations) and homosexual (sexual relations with the same sex) behaviors, with males subject to homophobia experiencing strong societal pressure to avoid showing physical intimacy with other males. Sedgwick noted that these societal expectations lead men to refrain from physical forms of expression like hugging and handholding due to fear of violating heteronormative expectations. In contrast, females face fewer such limitations, allowing them more fluidity in expressing same-sex closeness without as much fear of negative societal judgment.
