It is something that many long suffering wives and girlfriends have long suspected.

Many men find ‘bromances’ – close friendships with other men – more emotionally rewarding than their romantic relationships with women.

Whether it is the lure of going down the pub, to the football match, fishing or just helping a pal with DIY many women feel they play second fiddle to a best mate.

Examples abound, from celebrity pairs like One Direction's Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles, to Hollywood royalty George Clooney and Brad Pitt.

Now researchers looking into close male friendship among straight men may have an answer as to why they form such close bonds.

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Experts have found that many men find ‘bromances’, like Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's, more emotionally rewarding than their romantic relationships. Of 30 men questioned, 28 said they would rather discuss important emotional issues with their 'bromantic' partner

FEAR OF MALE INTIMACY As awareness of homosexuality grew, peaking in the 1970s and 1980s, ‘straight men began to fear being homosexualised for displaying physical or emotional intimacy.’ This ‘interfered with the development of close male friendship’ and research in the British Social Attitudes Survey found it was a high-water mark for homophobia. Researchers studying male friendships found men did not like to talk about their feelings, and ‘instead young men knew they had a friendship with another male when they engaged in activities together, like playing sports, drinking, fixing things or gambling’. In contrast during the same time, ‘women have maintained friendships through sharing emotions and disclosing secrets’ Boys during this time could be tormented by peers and teachers for performing feminine behaviours ‘such as skipping and poetry readings’. Young men today are much less like Rambo and more similar to One Direction, the authors say, with much more interest in art, music and fashion. Advertisement

Experts found that men felt ‘less judged’ by their close male friends than their girlfriends.

They also found it easier to solve conflicts and speak openly about their emotions in their bromances.

Male friendships used to be considered lacking in many of the qualities seen in close female friendships, particularly emotional and physical intimacy.

But this has changed in recent years, the study found, with young men ‘openly pronounce love’ to their male friends in a way that would be socially prohibited in previous years, partly out of fear of appearing gay.

The authors of the study say that strong friendships may be a progressive development, as men become less worried about appearing effeminate.

But they warn that strong bromances could challenge traditional domestic living arrangements between men and women.

Speaking to MailOnline the author of the study, Adam White of Winchester University, said: 'The key thing that we found was that bromances were somewhat more flexible and judgement-free relationships comparable to romances.

'The guys that we spoke to were clear that the only differences, other than sex, were that bromances were less judgemental, easier to resolve problems or arguments, and much more emotionally open, than romances.

'These guys found it easier to talk to their bromances as there was less judgement and regulation in their bromantic relationships.

'They didn’t feel like there was a standard to be kept or adhered to.

'Therefore, they could express their feelings, anxieties and worries without being judged by their girlfriends.

'And on the occasions where conflict did occur, it was seen as easier to fix with their bromances rather than their romances.'

Mr White and colleagues interviewed 30 British male undergraduates for the study, published in the journal Men and Masculinities.

Male friendships, like Brad Pitt and George Clooney's, used to be considered lacking in many of the qualities seen in close female friendships but this has changed in recent years, the study found. Young men feel able to ‘openly pronounce love’ to their male friends

Of the men, 28 out of 30 said they would rather discuss important emotional issues with their ‘bromantic’ partner than their girlfriends.

One study participants, ‘Brad’, said: ‘There are absolutely things I tell my bromances and not the girlfriend.

'She expects so much from the relationship and will have a go if I say something out of line, and with Matt we just tell each other everything.’

Up to the early 20th century, men would often write ‘endearing letters’ to one another, and even sleep in the same beds.

Tripp (2005) highlights that, for four years, President Abraham Lincoln shared a bed with his intimate male partner, Joshua Speed, and that President George Washington wrote endearing letters to other men.

Young men today are much less like Rambo and more similar to One Direction, the authors say, with much more interest in art, music and fashion. Band members Louis Tomlinson (centre left) and Harry Styles (centre right) have a 'bromance' similar to many young men today

But as awareness of homosexuality grew, peaking in the 1970s and 1980s, ‘straight men began to fear being homosexualised for displaying physical or emotional intimacy.’

This ‘interfered with the development of close male friendship’ and research in the British Social Attitudes Survey found it was a high-water mark for homophobia.

Researchers studying male friendships found men did not like to talk about their feelings, and ‘instead young men knew they had a friendship with another male when they engaged in activities together, like playing sports, drinking, fixing things or gambling’.

In contrast during the same time, ‘women have maintained friendships through sharing emotions and disclosing secrets’

Boys during this time could be tormented by peers and teachers for performing feminine behaviours ‘such as skipping and poetry readings’.

Young men today are much less like Rambo and more similar to One Direction, the authors say, with much more interest in art, music and fashion.

Another subject ‘Beck’ said: ‘Guys nowadays, in my generation, there is so much kissing between guys because it’s showing affection.