A chara, – I was dumbfounded when I read Kate Holmquist's striking assertion that "Friendship – female friendship in particular – has many benefits" (Life, October 1st).
As a man with many strong and close friendships with other men, I didn’t realise that my friendships were subordinate to friendships between women – what have I been missing?
More than 395 men died by suicide in 2010. This comment by Kate Holmquist, in a national newspaper, does not help these men to seek help and speak out. Friendship prevents loneliness, offers companionship, boosts happiness, improves self-worth and helps one cope with traumas. Surely, these benefits are achievable for both sexes? – Is mise,
GARETH T CLIFFORD,
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Priory Grove,
Stillorgan,
Co Dublin.