Dcussion Club Diary. Man and woman. Can we be friends?

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Dcussion Club Diary. Man and woman. Can we be friends?

2010.04.15 14:44

Do you think man and woman can be JUST friends? Will you be jealous if your partner has a friend of opposite sex?
"The belief that men and women can't be friends comes from another era in which women were at home and men were in the workplace, and the only way they could get together was for romance," explained Linda Sapadin, a psychologist in Valley Stream, New York. "Now they work together and share sports interests and socialize together." This cultural shift has encouraged psychologists, sociologists and communications experts to put forth a new message: Though it may be tricky, men and women can successfully become close friends. What's more, there are good reasons for them to do so.
 On the other hand, platonic love does exist. And a study of 20 pairs of friends published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships lends credence to the notion. In it, Heidi Reeder, at Boise State University, confirmed that "friendship attraction" or a connection devoid of lust is a bona fide type of bond that people experience. Distinguishing between romantic, sexual and friendly feelings, however, can be exceedingly difficult.
"People don't know what feelings are appropriate toward the opposite sex, unless they're what our culture defines as appropriate," said O'Meara. "You know you love someone and enjoy them as a person, but not enough to date or marry them. What does this mean?"
The reality that sexual attraction could suddenly enter the equation of a cross-sex friendship uninvited is always lurking in the background. A simple, platonic hug could instantaneously take on a more amorous meaning. "You're trying to do a friend-friend thing," said O'Meara, "but the male-female parts of you get in the way." Unwelcome or not, the attraction is difficult to ignore.
So, if your partner says something like “we are just friends” my suggestion is you have to be on guard.

The winner was Max (it is becoming a good tradition).

This Thursday we will talk about the Internet, Social sites and privacy.

Автор: DC Diary

larkmost

For me it's very easy to find common language with boys. And, quite honestly, I don't like talking a lot with girls about "women's stuff". So as a woman who has a lot of male friends, and a male best friend, I can honestly say that it's possible to be best friends with a member of the opposite sex without any problems in the near future. Why? 'cause girls get along with boys better then with girls and vice versa. Take your life easy!

2010-04-24 10:42:44