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Can Men and Women Be Just Friends?

This is the question this week on Fox 8’s Love & Marriage Relationship Roundup segment.  Is it possible for a man and a woman to have a platonic, sexually-free, relationship?  I’m sure there are some friendships out there that are strictly platonic, but I think they are rare.  Frankly, most men, although they may say they are only friends with a woman, have a hope, even ever so slight, that the relationship will become physical.  Come on!  Men are hard-wired this way, face it.  Sexual tension oozes from their pores.  Sooner or later, they will become disappointed because they have expectations for a physical relationship that the woman absolutely doesn’t have.

The easiest way to avoid hurt and disappointment is for the woman to set the boundaries right up front.  As soon as the friendship begins to bloom, there needs to be a “define the relationship” conversation.  Put the topic on the table asap and the friendship will have the best chance possible of remaining a friendship!