A new study of Assamese macaques found that, contrary to expectations, male social bonding is common even amongst non-related monkeys, and is directly correlated with the number of offspring the monkeys sired.
Additionally, the study found that while female social bonds were more nepotistic (i.e. they bonded with relatives), the male bonds were linked to coalition building, and the stronger the bonds the more powerful the effect on both status and reproductive success. Although the increase in fertility is largely a result of enhanced status, even lower ranking monkeys made significant gains by having close bonds with other males.
Although the study was carried out on monkeys rather than humans, it is likely that there is a similar effect amongst human males, who are generally more successful in life if they are well-liked by their fellows, and as a result more attractive to females. In fact, it often appears that women take a cue from men when determining which men make desirable company.
So perhaps we should be thankful for our friends for more than just the companionship and support they offer.
