The Challenges of a Platonic Relationship

Can Men and Women Be Just Friends?

This may very well be the battle of the ages, I mean sexes. It is an age old question and one that never seems to get a clear answer. People are passionate about what this means to them and quick to say who's right and who's wrong. Men and women both argue for it and against it. What we all want to know is can men and women really be just friends? By friends I mean platonic friends. No feelings, no attraction, nothing. Now if you're like me you just jumped the gun and exclaimed "no way." Well you're not alone,I fully believe that men and women cannot remain friends for an extended period of time without one or the other attempting to advance the relationship. Why do I say this? Simple, because I see it all the time and because of the laws of human nature. This is a heated argument and sparks will fly. Not only from the debate but from the "friendships" that are slowly evolving into something more.

Let's look at male/female relationships first. If you start a relationship based on friendship it is likely to advance itself to the next level. This is why the best relationships are founded on friendship. Friendship forms a sturdy foundation for a solid relationship and gives it the potential to last longer. But why do women and men mingle in the friendship department in the first place? I think its a two fold answer. First of all women and men enjoy each other's company on many levels and when you have the same interests a friendship will naturally develop. Men and women enjoy spending time together, in fact its much like dating but without the pressure. A lot of it is eased off when the relationship is strictly a friendly one. In a way its a pseudo relationship. You can have many of the same comforts without a lot of the hangups. The second part comes from what I believe is an underlying attraction. There has to be some level of attraction which keeps up the relationship. Something had to draw you to this person in the first place and something is keeping you there. Something that causes that friction and also lends to a great relationship which some believe would be even greater if pushed past the limit.