Can Men And Women Just Be Friends | Relationships

Can the opposite sex just be friends?

Can Men And Women Just Be Friends

Have you ever wondered whether men and women can truly be just friends, without romantic feelings or desires complicating the relationship? While opinions on this topic vary widely, it’s worth exploring more deeply. Is sexual attraction or the possibility of something more always lurking in the background, or can a genuine platonic relationship exist between men and women?

Can Men and Women just be friends?

Having a friend of the opposite sex while in a relationship

Having a friend of the opposite sex while in a relationship can be a complex topic. 

Should a man or woman have a best friend outside of their partner? 

Can this dynamic exist without causing issues in the relationship? 

These are questions worth considering.

Even more importantly, regardless of gender, wouldn’t you want your significant other to be your closest friend? 

That doesn’t mean couples have to do everything together, but sharing meaningful experiences—like playing, exploring, and traveling—can strengthen your bond.

Let’s be honest: this is a conversation many people have, whether privately or openly. Ultimately, it’s about trust, communication, and what works best for each unique relationship.

In a recent survey by Inveigle magazine, 

"82% of the people said, men and women, can just be friends when they are already in a committed relationship with someone else?" 

According to Womens health, Christie Hartman, Ph.D., a Denver-based dating expert, and behavioral scientist, and the author has close male friends and she's married. She stated,

“ There can't be any real attraction between the two people. It gets weird when there's actual or suspected attraction—even if one-sided—if the partner is excluded, or if the partner is made to feel less important or less of a priority in any way.”

This brings us to that old so famous question, Are people monogamous or promiscuous.? It has a lot to do with how a person perceives the idea of their mate having a friendship with a person of the opposite sex. 

Some people may say, "If you feel a person would be monogamous no matter the circumstance, it wouldn't matter about the friendship because your confidence is high enough to help sustain the relationship." On the other hand, listen to some advice from some of your trusted elders. Sit down and talk to your trusted family member that showcases a good marriage or someone you trust.

Tips from the older generation

On the other hand, always remember the old saying, “Don’t play with fire if you don’t want to get burned,” serves as a reminder that putting yourself in risky situations—such as allowing boundaries in opposite-sex friendships to blur—can lead to consequences you may later regret.

There is a natural tendency to have a slight amount of jealousy that can trigger a response of not wanting your mate to have a best friend of the opposite sex. 

We tend to go against it, as we think about various things in life, such as non-verbal cues that can create instant attractions that may lead to:

• friends with benefits, 
• affairs, 
• and much more.

The older generation often shares wisdom about relationships, reminding younger couples not to let everyone be involved in their personal affairs or hanging around all the time. Their advice is usually honest and direct yet delivered with a sense of humor that makes the message memorable. These conversations blend truth and lightheartedness, offering guidance while also making you smile.

Non- Verbal Cues

Here are a few Non-verbal cues:

• Body Language - Ensure that your posture does not lean too closely toward the other person. Nonverbal cues such as body language provide insight into what people may be feeling or thinking. Body language is a significant form of communication that often occurs subconsciously. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of the impression you convey, unless you deliberately intend for the interaction to become more personal.
  
  

Body language can speak volumes

• Eye Contact - Eye contact can express more than words; meanwhile, building up the anticipation of what it would be like to be together in a romantic situation. Be careful not to fall into a seductive trap for your friend. You know you've seen that person who looked at you from across the room with seductive eyes that will make you want to melt. The chemistry is hot and it can get you in a situation if you're not careful. 
• Voice Tonality - How you speak to someone can begin to turn them on. If you have a sexy voice the friend may begin to become intrigued with you. After all, it's not what you say, but how you say it! If you talk to your friend better than your significant other, that can be a problem.
• Touch - You have to be careful with the way you touch a person. It can release powerful sex hormones. Don't start anything, won't be anything! In other words, keep your hands to yourself.

Some relationships start off as friendships:

Some relationships start off as platonic friends having fun together and enjoying each other's company. Friends tend to do things that benefit each other because they have each other's best interests at heart. Friendship can bring you joy, support, and disappointment. Well, true friends do anyway.

To thrive in this world you have to have remarkable people in your life which you can mutually trust. Have you ever set down to contemplate what you want out of your friendship?  

In a friendship, you need to learn what the other person desires out of the friendship without being selfish. When you have two people of the opposite sex, being emotionally attached to each other there is a chance of it blossoming into more.

In some cases, this is what makes it so easy for people to cross the line from friendship to dating and a relationship. Think about it! If a person is so close to you that you can confide in them, laugh with them, and know their desires, Isn't that a beneficial relationship? It can be a good thing; as well as, a bad situation.

Friends laughing together

The bad part is one person may take advantage of the situation without giving thought to the consequences. The emotional trauma it can cause if you lose a dependable friend trying to build an affectionate relationship can leave you to deal with the consequences by yourself. Who's going to comfort you during the breakup, if it was your friend that hurt you?

Friendship

On the other hand, you have had many successful relationships start as a friendship. That friend that has been there for you through the thick and thin may make you the ultimate significant other. A positive is you have already built some great memories together.

According to  Daily Mail, 

"In a survey by the University of Wisconsin, 88 sets of young male and female friends were asked to rate their attraction to each other in a confidential questionnaire.

It found that men — whether attached or single — were more likely to be attracted to their female friends and want to go on a date with them than the other way around."

Therefore, you have to weigh your options and decide if it's worth it.

Take a look at this video of how these friends think they know what the other wants.

Friendship, Trust, and Boundaries: Navigating Opposite-Sex Friendships in Marriage

The question of whether a husband or wife should have close friendships with someone of the opposite sex has been debated for years. At the heart of the discussion is not just the friendship itself, but how it is perceived within the context of a committed relationship.

The Role of Jealousy

It is natural for even the most confident spouse to feel a spark of jealousy. Human nature often responds protectively when intimacy seems to be shared elsewhere. When the friendship in question becomes particularly close—like a “best friend” relationship—those feelings can intensify. The uneasiness is not always rooted in distrust but in the subtle “what-ifs” the mind creates.

When Boundaries Blur

These “what-ifs” often revolve around the small but powerful dynamics of human connection. Nonverbal cues, emotional vulnerability, and shared experiences can create strong bonds that sometimes blur into romantic or physical attraction. What begins as harmless companionship could, in some situations, open the door to deeper attachments, “friends with benefits” arrangements, or affairs. Recognizing this possibility doesn’t mean all opposite-sex friendships are dangerous—but it does highlight the importance of awareness and boundaries.

Protecting the Marriage

The difference between a friend and a best friend is significant in marriage. While friends may come and go with seasons of life, a best friend holds a deeper role of trust, influence, and emotional intimacy. For many, that role is expected to be filled within the marriage itself. When someone outside of the marriage takes on that position, it can create feelings of displacement or insecurity for the spouse.

Moving Forward Together

Ultimately, how couples navigate opposite-sex friendships comes down to communication and shared values. Some couples are comfortable with it, while others feel strongly about keeping those boundaries clear. What matters most is that both partners feel respected, secure, and prioritized.

Healthy marriages thrive not by avoiding friendships, but by setting boundaries that protect emotional intimacy. When trust and respect are firmly in place, couples can navigate friendships—of any kind—without fear of compromising their bond.

3 Practical Tips for Setting Healthy Boundaries in Friendships

1. Communicate Openly
   Talk honestly with your spouse about how you feel regarding opposite-sex friendships. Share your boundaries, listen to theirs, and create mutual agreements that work for both of you.

2. Keep Transparency at the Core
   Hiding or downplaying a friendship often causes more damage than the friendship itself. Be open about who your friends are, how much time you spend together, and the nature of your conversations. Transparency builds trust.

3. Prioritize Your Spouse as Your Closest Confidant
   Friendships are valuable, but emotional intimacy within marriage should always come first. Ensure your spouse—not an outside friend—is the primary person you lean on for support, advice, and vulnerability.

Is there a right or wrong answer?

When it comes to opposite-sex friendships in marriage, there really isn’t a universal right or wrong answer. We are often drawn to people who have qualities we admire—the coworker who makes us laugh, the friend who brightens our day, or the person who simply shares our interests. Loyalty, however, remains a key factor in maintaining the integrity of a committed relationship.

The real question becomes: even if two people share a friendship, can they maintain healthy boundaries and avoid crossing lines if they practice self-control? 

There’s a difference between casually laughing together at work and consistently spending time alone, confiding in one another, or developing a deep emotional bond. 

Another consideration is whether that friend knows and respects your spouse, which can go a long way in building comfort and trust.

At the end of the day, every couple must decide what feels right for their relationship. Some partners are comfortable with opposite-sex best friends, while others are not. Personally, I believe that within marriage, a husband and wife should strive to be each other’s best friend—especially when it comes to emotional closeness. Friendships are valuable, but protecting the sacred role of intimacy and trust between spouses should always take priority.

What is your opinion? Can men and women just be friends?

Can Men And Women Just Be Friends | Relationships https://t.co/OiqaVue6w7 #friendship #relationship #Trending pic.twitter.com/k7Ih3ydnhC

— Inveigle Magazine - Lifestyle, Fashion & Beauty (@InveigleMagazi1) June 3, 2020

Author on Inveigle Magazine

Author: Arica  Green (Arica G) is the Founder and Editor of  Inveigle Magazine. She created a premiere Lifestyle, Fashion, and Beauty Magazine to entice you towards positive change and increase the quality of life. With Arica's love for writing and informing the Universe about a variety of topics, Inveigle Magazine was born. Follow us @ Inveiglemagazi1 & on FB . View more articles by Arica Green

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