I don't think it is just an american thing. But if one does not find it useful to seek out a specific male or female friend, one need not do it. For me, I am more comfortable in general with women. I like men okay -but there is, for me, a difference in how they relate to each other and how they treat women versus how I am with my female friends. Is it all women I can be friends with - of course not - but my close female friends have a much different feel to me than my close male friends and I value that a lot. Of course, I am also a lesbian - so perhaps that adds to it for me. I am simply more comfortable around women. I have heard some women (even posters here) say they are more comfortable around men.