The universal question that people have is,can men and women be friends or not? It is a fact that there is a possibility that makes the friendly approach real. Many researches have been conducted to determine whether it is true to have both men and women maintain a cordial relationship without any physical attraction. The study brings new ideas that there are people who can be just friends even with the opposite gender; however, if there is any possibility that there might be a tiny chance of getting into a physical relationship with the other person, then one of them would pounce at the opportunity.
Even after much studies and research about ‘Sexual Orientation’, it is found that only if people are not interested in the opposite gender will they be just friends. In such a scenario where one of them is attracted to the same gender, then the friendship can remain cordial and everlasting.
Can men and women be friends? Here are reasons why they can’t?
1. Attraction is the main criterion.
Can men and women be friends can be answered based on one criteria that is ‘attraction’. Every person has a different personality, and this is very critical to make people fall in love with the other person. For example, if there is a young girl who is a good friend but is shy. The boy will eventually fall for her if he continues to be friends with her. As he might slowly discover her attributes and nature which will attract him. Here we are not talking about physical attraction. We are talking about personality. If a person spends some quality time with the other, it is bound to be more than just friends because everyone has a brighter side and a unique side of themselves. However, if you do not know the person very well, you can just be friends. Still, the closer you get to people, you will definitely start loving the person’s nature.
2. Feeling safe
What do you think? Can men and women be friends if they feel secure with each other? This very simple yet excellent question brings out the appropriate answer. If you find yourself safe and secure when you are around this person, you are definitely not just good friends. The saying goes: A friend in need is a friend indeed; however, the more your friend is available in the time of need or offers help to you and is the shoulder where you lay your head on, then it slowly turns into a strong relationship rather than being just good friends.
3. Societal impact
Society always raises the question: can men and women be friends? Even though there is a lot of open-mindedness in today’s society, there is still a gap that will not ever be filled because opposite genders are deemed to be attracted to each other. How will it not let you be friends with the other gender? For example, if a boy and a girl are constantly in touch with each other, always hanging out together, and are good friends. But, society, in some way or another, will pressurize them. This is not in a negative sense. For example, as mentioned earlier, the boy and girl are constantly seen together every time the people around them, other friends in the class, or colleagues start commenting. However, it is not in a rude or demeaning way. It will definitely make them take the friendship to the next level.
4. Sexual tension
If you are looking for the answer to the former question , Can men and women be friends? Then, sexual tension is one of the key possibilities that make it difficult to stay friends. As opposite genders get attracted to each other. For example, if either or both of them have gone through bad relationships, they have disappointed relationships. There is sexual tension going on, and no wonder it would create a romantic angle between them, leading to disruption in the so-called friendship. It is a fact, and especially when the woman is single, there is a greater chance of getting into a romantic relationship even if the man is married or is already in a relationship. Because there will definitely be scenarios where The woman needs support, it will develop into a strong romantic relationship during the process.
5. The unique dynamics
Can men and women be friends? Well, no, because both males and females have different ways of handling a relationship. The uniqueness of the relationship changes the entire perspective. How a man treats his female friends is quite different from how a woman treats her male friends. Men are most of the time attracted to female friends because they have a sense of ownership and possessive nature; however, it is not the same for women. But in a scenario where they call a BFF, there would be an underlying attraction that can be easily understood with their possessiveness and jealousy.
Summing Up:
The above mentioned reasons answer: Can men and women be friends? Therefore, in most scenarios, men and women cannot be just friends. It is just a very hypothetical situation that people try to create just to maintain a friendly relationship. A simple way to understand it is, if you are good friends and like the other person’s personality, why would you create a friendzone? It would just be because facing reality could spoil the friendship.