This question has been boggling minds since the beginning of time. Husbands and boyfriends alike can never seem to trust the intentions behind the foundations of a heterosexual, though seemingly platonic, relationships that their partners seem to be having at any particular point in their relationship.
Still, the question remains unanswered. Daily experience, however, suggests that non-romantic friendships between males and females are possible and apparently very common. Though the possibility remains that this apparently platonic coexistence can be merely a facade propagated to hide the countless sexual impulses bubbling just beneath the surface.
In all honesty, we may think we’re capable of being “just friends” with members of the opposite sex, but the opportunity for a romantic dalliance is often lurking just around the corner, waiting to pounce at the most inopportune moment. Here are some reasons why men and women can't be " just friends":
1. Men, relative to women, have a particularly hard time being “just friends.”
Men tend to consistently overestimate the level of attraction felt by their female friends. On the other hand, women consistently underestimate the level of attraction felt by their male friends.
2. Men and women have vastly different views of what it means to be “just friends”
These differing views have the potential to ultimately lead to trouble. Although women seem to be genuine in their belief that opposite-sex friendships are platonic, men seem unable to turn off their desire for something more. This added complexity makes the relationship a disaster in waiting.
3. External pressures
How people view your relationship should definitely not matter but when it is a boy-girl friendship then it can become problematic. The friendship may start to feel uncomfortable due to how they're being perceived by others, and get discouraged from spending time with each other.
4. It presents an impossibility in the dating world
Lots of people will feel less inclined to pursue a relationship with someone who has an opposite-sex best friend. This is especially true for men. No guy wants to compete with a guy best friend for the affection of his woman. So the friendship has to die at the altar of a relationship.
5. It always plays out as just one long foreplay
These relationships always end up in either broken hearts or functional relationships. Friends of the opposite sex tend to get comfortable with each other. They toy with each other, give each other very honest opinions, and even trust each other with very intimate and personal confessions about each other. Given all these emotional aspects, feelings are bound to manifest eventually.
6. For all its benefits it has limitations too!
Women and men are totally different and unique in their own ways. This only goes to show that this relationship will be heavily limited by the gender barrier. Men need other male friends to thrive and stay manly. On the other hand, women need their girlfriends to stay womanly.
7. Lender of last resort
Single girl-boy friends always consider each other as the final draw in their dating lives, either explicitly or unconsciously. There is always that feeling of safeness that comes with having a back-up when push comes to shove. This then totally derides the aspect of "just friends" since it approves your friend as a suitable mate. Also, who wouldn't want to date their best friend? This temptation never goes away.