Men and Women, can they be just friends.?

[Bellbird]

So Can Men and Women Keep Their Relationship Platonic?
Non-sexual and non-romantic relationships between people are absolutely possible -- despite what our culture depicts. "Friendships, unlike romantic relationships, aren't as interesting in a sex-obsessed, commodity-ridden culture like ours," says psychotherapist Silvia M. Dutchevici, MA, LCSW, founder of Critical Therapy Center in New York City.
Today's society plants the idea of friends turning into romantic interests in our heads, making it difficult for some to recognize a platonic friendship. "When we value friendship for the sake of collaboration and community, rather than sex, then friendships can flourish."

Can men and women have a platonic relation. What are your feelings on the matter.? There is no doubting that our present society does appear to be sex obsessed.

 

[timoc]

Men and Women, can they be just friends.?​

Of course, absolutely, as long as the lady is a good cook and the man is a good listener.

 

[katlupe]

I do have a friend who is a man. I used to meet him to go shopping at the Mennonite store and then we would go to lunch. No matter how much I protested, he would pay the check. Said it made him feel good to take a lady to lunch. I was married and he knew my husband and there was nothing going on between us. Sometimes others would join us as we were all part of a local homesteading group.

 

[Shero]

Yes of course!! I have several male friends and my best friend from childhood is male!

 

[Alligatorob]

Sure, I have lots of female friends with whom I have never had a romantic or sexual relationship. Probably almost as many as men.

 

[Murrmurr]

I have and have had a number of lady friends, platonic. Currently I would number my closest, dearest, most awesome friends at 4, and one of them is a wonderful lady named Patience. I also (currently) have a few platonic female "buddies" who live in 2 different homeless camps. They always greet me, introduce any new residents, let me know who needs what and help me distribute my donations so they go to the right people. When I go in the evening, we sometimes share a fire (when it's allowed) and swap stories.

 

[MrPants]

I agree! I have several female friends. I just spent a day with one that I hadn't seen in probably 15 years or so. We are kindred spirits but have never even thought of making it into something more than friendship. That might ruin what we have!

 

[Bellbird]

Men and Women, can they be just friends.?​

Of course, absolutely, as long as the lady is a good cook and the man is a good listener.

I'm not talking live in friends.

 

[fmdog44]

yes, why not?

 

[win231]

They certainly can. But it's more challenging to go "backwards" in a relationship (after breaking up) & be just friends after they have been intimate.

 

[hollydolly]

yes of course, all my life the majority of my friends have been male...

 

[Paco Dennis]

Sure! Just like when we were kids and played "House"!

 

[Tom 86]

Most of my lady friends are waitress's or nurses. When not busy they will sit & talk with you. Also a few have gone to lunch with me. Have a good meal & just talk, then take them back to work.

 

[timoc]

I'm not talking live in friends.

Neither am I.

 

[Paco Dennis]

For me most of my platonic friends who were/are female I have some attraction to. For us it is comfortable with romantic goofing around.

 

[horseless carriage]

So Can Men and Women Keep Their Relationship Platonic?
Non-sexual and non-romantic relationships between people are absolutely possible -- despite what our culture depicts. "Friendships, unlike romantic relationships, aren't as interesting in a sex-obsessed, commodity-ridden culture like ours," says psychotherapist Silvia M. Dutchevici, MA, LCSW, founder of Critical Therapy Center in New York City.
Today's society plants the idea of friends turning into romantic interests in our heads, making it difficult for some to recognize a platonic friendship. "When we value friendship for the sake of collaboration and community, rather than sex, then friendships can flourish."

Can men and women have a platonic relation. What are your feelings on the matter.? There is no doubting that our present society does appear to be sex obsessed.

From that I take it that psychotherapist, Silvia M. Dutchevici is implying that friendships between the sexes are a forerunner to something more physical. What a sad take on the way we make friends.

 

[Lewkat]

Sure. Got lots of guy friends.

 

[terry123]

Of course. I have a guy friend that I have known for 45 years. I did his accounting for years and we got to know each other. We talk on the phone as I have moved quite a ways from him but we always pick up where we left off.

 

[Alligatorob]

it's more challenging to go "backwards" in a relationship (after breaking up) & be just friends after they have been intimate.

Challenging maybe, but not impossible.

I am good friends with my first wife, we divorced almost 40 years ago. We did go a long time without contact but now talk and visit regularly. I am also friends with her now adult kids.

20 or 30 years ago I would not have thought it possible. However it seems time does heal wounds. We did like each other long ago, the basis for that liking is still there.

I do have one (that I can think of) ex out there I hope to never see again.

 

[WheatenLover]

I have four close male friends. The relationships are platonic, and will always be.

 

[Sassycakes]

I think it is fine for men and women to have friends of the opposite gender.

 

[Nathan]

My 2 business partners are women, we are friends and don't have any romantic inclinations in the least.

 

[MarciKS]

men in kansas don't seem to understand that being friends isn't the same as being friends with "benefits." they get mad when i don't want the benefits. LOL

 

[funsearcher!]

Depends on the people. Some can do it and others have issues with it.

 

[Paco Dennis]

For me most of my platonic friends who were/are female I have some attraction to. For us it is comfortable with romantic goofing around.

I just read this and it could imply that it becomes physical....I don't even hold hands with any of them. I do think we need the freedom to talk to our platonic friends about our feelings...and it might include some attraction. There is never an impulse to act them out, but by sharing those feelings I have been able to "goof" around at times verbally or with body language. I'm no swinger. One woman for 30 years.