Can friendship exist between a man and a woman?

The friendship between a man and a woman does not always have to lead to a sexual encounter or an emotional relationship. However, culturally and socially we have been led to take this idea as true.

We all know movies like When Harry Met Sally or series like Friends. In these well-known productions we are presented with an almost recurring idea: that friendship between a man and a woman is something almost impossible. In fact, it is nothing more than a simple transition period towards a relationship.

Now, in reality we see that this fact is not always true. Men and women can interact without a sexual encounter or the beginning of an emotional bond having to arise. However, there are many people who continue to maintain a somewhat striking idea: that A woman and a man being friends is almost impossible due to the psychological differences that exist between them.

Likewise, as various studies tell us, when it comes to more solid and lasting friendships, the differences are always more constructive. This certainly does not imply that sometimes what is known as the friendzone.

What does the research say? Can friendship really exist between a man and a woman? Are they isolated cases?

“Friendship is more difficult and rarer than love. Therefore, we must save as”.

-Alberto Moravia-

Studies on friendship between a man and a woman

The eternal dilemma about the possible friendship or not between a man and a woman was analyzed by several scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, in the United States, to find out what truth exists in that dilemma.

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The study brought together 88 couples of university students and they were asked a series of questions, both privately and in the presence of the other. The questions were about the romantic feelings they had or might have had towards the friend with whom they came to the study.

The responses obtained were classified into three categories: no attraction, moderately attracted and extremely attracted.also differentiating between attraction, esteem and desire.

On the other hand, to have a global vision, also A complete history was taken of each participant’s interaction with people of the opposite sex:

The circumstances in which the friends had met (work, school, mutual friends, etc.) The length of time the friendship had lasted. The emotions involved, etc.

The results of the study on friendship between a man and a woman

The most surprising thing about the results obtained in the study is that the perception of the relationship changes greatly depending on gender. So, Men and women judge the relationship they have with each other from different parameters.

According to the conclusions reached with the study, Men are much more attracted to their female friends. and they are more likely to think that their friends are attracted to them. On the other hand, as the study reveals, women, in general, are at an opposite point to the men with whom they are friends. That is, they They feel little or no attraction to their male friends and assume that this lack of attraction is mutual.

The causes of our way of thinking about friendship

The Cardiff University sociologist and author of Girls, Boys and Junior Sexualitiesconducted a study to find out the motivations of children and adolescents in their daily behavior, regardless of the opinion of adults.

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The general idea is that if you have a girlfriend you succeed. Let’s think about the fact that the dating culture is so widespread that teenagers seem forced to look for a partner at increasingly younger ages, when they are really discovering their own sexuality.Adolescents are also greatly influenced by their circle of friends and peers. at school, in which having a partner is considered a sign of status and popularity. Not having a partner can give rise, in some cases, to social stigma and cause certain marginalization.

In reality, it is not that there is a great influence of the mass media and a continuous bombardment of advertising. Rather we are faced with the fact that Behaviors related to having a partner serve to reinforce the image we offer to othersthus giving an “ideal” of power or status.

Nevertheless, It is essential to live friendships between people of the different sex just as we live and accept those of the same sex, in a healthy and honest way. It is important to let go and enjoy with our friends and all the good times we have with them, truly appreciate everything that each one of them brings to us.

What do you think? Can friendship exist between a man and a woman?