As is the case with everything, I'm certain it's more complicated than this, but I believe you've hit on a huge factor. I would encourage anyone who is interested in this (or skeptical of it!) to check out the work of Niobe Way, a psychologist who has been researching the social lives of adolescent boys for a couple decades. I would crudely summarize a key finding of her research as roughly: around 12-14 yrs of age boys stop saying things like "I love my best friend" and start saying things like "I'm not gay" and "I wish I was a girl so I could have feelings".
I'm sad to say that last one is a direct quote. Hug your bros gentlemen.
I'm sad to say that last one is a direct quote. Hug your bros gentlemen.
https://www.niobe-way.com/