This is a question that I’ve thought about a lot in recent years. Is it possible for people of the opposite sex to be just friends? I remember the last time I had a guy friend was back in high school or college, before I had a significant other in my life. Even then, I didn’t go out of my way to be friends with them-they just happened to be in the same classes and we hung out with the same group of people, according to Psychology Today that is the easiest time in a person’s life to have a friend who is of the opposite sex, they report that shortly thereafter relationships are about finding a mate.
Interestingly enough "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."[1]
Although it could be tricky to maintain such a delicate balance in becoming friends researchers are finding that there are reasons behind this. There have been several challenges pointed out by Don O’Meara, Ph. D., at the University of Cincinnati-Raymond Walters College which include: defining it, dealing with attraction, seeing each other as equals, facing people’s responses to the relationship and meeting in the first place.
So, while some researchers agree and even point out that friendships of the opposite sex are important would you be comfortable having a friend of the opposite sex?
In my opinion, if there is mutual respect in your relationship not to want anything more than a friendship then there is nothing wrong with being friends with the opposite sex. If you are both up front and honest that you just want a plutonic relationship, while it’s hard I feel it is possible for men and women to be friends.
On the other hand, if there is some sort of sexual attraction of any kind, and you didn’t want it to turn into anything romantic, then it’d probably be best not to become so close with that one person in the first place-use your judgment and determine what you want from this pending relationship.
