Friendship is an important part of a person's life. Essentially, sometimes it is impossible to distinguish what we call "friendship" from what we call "love". Many people might say that they love their friends, although they do not mean romantic or sexual affection. According to the results of the research, people prefer to maintain friendships with their sexes, because friendship with the opposite sex firs does not promise the same kind of intimacy and support.
Also, studies show that individuals with close friends are less likely to be depressed and anxious and that mental health is to some extent associated with friends of the opposite sex. Friendship with the opposite sex in the context of social relationships can be likened to an area where no one has a precise plan. Single men and women are more likely to be friends with the opposite sex. Most likely, this circumstance reflects the lack of a clear opinion about the friendship between a man and a woman.
Men and women who adhere to traditional gender roles believe that the relationship between a man and a woman is based on domination and subordination, while friendship is based on reciprocity and equality. Also, male and female friendships are highly suspicious, as it is believed that such relationships are always more than just friendships. Close friendships between one spouse or partner may cause fear in another spouse who believes that such a friendship may lead to sexual intercourse. Therefore, friendship outside of a primary relationship is often only acceptable if its non-sexual nature and secondary nature in comparison to the primary relationship are evident. Friendships between colleagues, men, and women who meet in a more formal setting, at the workplace or a business lunch are more natural.
Many people maintain friendships with colleagues who consider them to be love, albeit non-sexual. According to a survey of 1,050 managers, 22% of the respondents had non-sexual relationships with colleagues, and only 5% of the respondents had sexual relations with a co-worker. The researchers who conducted the survey identified two types of close friendships that involved mutual respect, support, open communication and the feeling that two people were a "couple". Regardless of the love theory described above, the first type of friendship was called "agape". It is an altruistic relationship based on a deep sense of trust and respect for the human and professional qualities of a friend. Such a relationship is independent of sex and has no sexual connotations. The second pattern of friendship is an erotic relationship involving romantic feelings, excitement and sexual sympathy.
Regardless of the type of friendship, men and women maintained friendships without sexual contact. In the case of agape friendships, couples avoided sexual intercourse due to moral obligations towards other partners and the insignificant role of sexual sympathy in friendly relations. In erotic friendship, couples took into account the possible consequences of sexual intercourse for these and other relationships. In both types of friendship, couples benefited equally from their relationships, gaining creative energy, enthusiasm for work and a sense of professional competence. Close friendships are not governed by clear social rules. Sexual aspects of friendly relations can be simply ignored. However, denying sexual sympathy for a friend can bring disharmony to relationships and prevent open communication.
Friendship, which includes sexual contacts, is undoubtedly another huge and unexplored area of human relations. The greatest risk in such cases is taken by the partner whose feelings and expectations go beyond friendship. It is difficult to draw a clear line between friendship and love. It is possible that the word "friendship" is used by some people as a euphemism that allows them to remain comfortable in a relationship that has essentially become a relationship of love while recognizing this fact would put them in a position to make a serious choice.