Can A Man Love A Woman Platonically?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can a man love a woman Platonically?

Platonic relationships—i.e. close, non-sexual friendships—between men and women can be real and viable and pretty great

. It’s a relief, not a stressor, to know someone of the opposite sex in a context that isn’t mediated by sexual attraction, according to a number of people I spoke to.

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Can you be platonically in love with someone?

Platonic love involves deep affection, but no romantic or sexual attraction.

It’s absolutely possible for people of any gender to maintain a friendship without sexual tension or attraction

. When you love someone platonically, you might notice some basic signs of love.

Can a guy and girl be platonic soulmates?

Many people view their soulmate as the person they eventually marry and have kids with, but that’s not always the case. In fact,

you may have several ‘platonic soulmates’ throughout your life’s journey

. Of course, platonic may mean the absence of romance.

Can platonic friends become lovers?


Platonic relationships can turn into erotic or romantic relationships

, but most often the strength lies in the strong friendship.

How do you know if you love someone Platonically?

Platonic Loves

Encourages Unfiltered Honesty

Unlike in a romantic relationship, there is no fear that the person will leave you because they were never with you in the first place. You aren’t an item, so the stakes aren’t as high. There isn’t the same caution, or need to check in with the other person emotionally.

Can you kiss in a platonic relationship?

Platonic Relationship vs.


It is possible to desire physical intimacy (such as hugging, kissing, or touching) or sex with the other person but not be engaged in these activities

. If no physical intimacy or sex exists between you and the other person, it is a platonic relationship—even if the desire is there.

What is platonic intimacy?

Platonic intimacy is exactly what it sounds like.

You have an incredibly close relationship with someone, but there is no sexual or romantic interest involved

. There will be a deep, often unconditional, love between you and that person.

Can guys have close female friends?

Still, the question remains unanswered. Daily experience suggests that

non-romantic friendships between males and females are not only possible, but common

—men and women live, work, and play side-by-side, and generally seem to be able to avoid spontaneously sleeping together.

How do you maintain a platonic friendship with a guy?

  1. Having Feelings of Attraction Does Not Mean You Need to Act on Them. …
  2. Understand Boundaries and Stick by Them. …
  3. Do Not Fuel Gossip. …
  4. Don’t Flirt. …
  5. Do Things That Encourage the Friendship Without Fueling Intimacy. …
  6. Watch for Feelings of Jealousy.

What is a platonic relationship between a man and a woman?

In English, a relationship between a man and woman that is

spiritual or intellectual, without sexual activity

, is called platonic — after Plato’s ideal of non-sexual love.

Is platonic love rare?


Platonic love relationships are a rare thing

, although they are beginning to be more common in today’s society. Platonic friendship can be very beneficial to both parties, in ways that romantic love cannot be.

How often do platonic relationships turn romantic?

While these feelings are completely normal, they don’t mean that platonic friends can’t turn into a romantic couple. In a survey of 1,450 Match.com members,

62 percent of the respondents said that they have had at least one friendship that turned romantic

, according to the Psychology Today website.

Can a man fall in love with a friend?

Though not all friends have a special love for each other,

it is possible to fall in love with your friend

. It happens a lot of times, and many claim that the transition from friendship to love is quite smooth. So yes, that great friendship with your best guy friend can turn into a romantic relationship.

Do I love them platonically or romantically?

When you love someone platonically, you may feel more inclined to give it to them straight. Being extremely honest with them may outweigh sparing their emotions, and moreover, you know you’ll be there for them to lean on.

When you love someone romantically, you’ll take their feelings into consideration.

What are the signs a man is in love with you?

  • He’s been asking about the future. …
  • He gazes into your eyes. …
  • He’s always putting you first. …
  • When you laugh, he laughs. …
  • He’s been revealing intimate details about himself. …
  • You can feel his heartbeat match yours. …
  • He’s been more optimistic lately.

Are platonic relationships healthy?

The bottom line.

Platonic friendships really can work

, even though it might get exhausting to keep saying, “Yes, we’re just friends.” Just remember, good boundaries and open communication are key to the health and success of your friendship — and any other relationship, really.

Can you hug in platonic relationship?

Whether or not one can be friends with someone they’ve dated or had a serious relationship with depends on the individuals, their romantic relationship and their breakup.

Platonic love — such as that demonstrated by a hug from the right person — is essential for the soul

. Soulmates are often platonic.

How do you show platonic affection?

Often, having platonically intimate relationships might involve

holding hands, cuddling, and lots of touching

, but it’s not inherently sexual. For example, in the Netflix show “Grace and Frankie,” the title characters cuddle — but they also rely on each other to learn and grow as people.

What does platonic attraction feel like?

It is, I guess, much less strong than a squish kind of feeling, it’s just

wanting to be friends with someone without getting intimate or emotional with them

. You don’t want to get too involved in their lives, but you do want to be considered their friend. I don’t think a squish implies exclusivity.

Is it healthy for men to have female friends?


A study found that the benefits of men and women being friends included having a respected friend, talking openly, and receiving a boost to self-esteem

. But one of the most underappreciated aspects of having friends is being able to learn from them.

Can a guy have a girl best friend while in a relationship?

In spite of all the different groups of friends you will acquire, one thing remains the same: Nothing can ever truly replace that one person who truly holds you down – and there’s certainly no gender-based criteria that person has to meet.

If you’re a guy, it’s completely fine to have a female best friend.

Can a boy and a girl be best friends without falling in love?

Yeah! According to me

a boy and a girl can be best friends in the term as they want

. Until and unless they share a perfect bond having a true friendship, no other person has the authority to judge them in terms of their relation.

Do guys think about their female friends?


Men report more sexual interest in their female friends than their female friends do in them

, and men are also more likely than women to overestimate how romantically interested their friends are in them. In most cases, sexual attraction within a friendship is seen as more of a burden than a benefit, the study finds.

Is platonic friendship cheating?

Are platonic relationships physical?


Yes, platonic friends – just friends with no romantic or sexual attraction – can experience physical intimacy like cuddling

. You might also hug or hold hands. That’s okay too, and there’s nothing wrong with enjoying these things.

Why do platonic relationships last longer?

Longevity. Not only do platonic relationships last longer than most romantic relationships (until you find the one of course), but

strong platonic relationships lead to social support, which can actually cause people to live longer

. There are lots of diseases that are negatively impacted by social isolation.

What is allowed in platonic relationship?

A platonic relationship is one where you

share a close bond without romance or sex

. It can be just as deep and intense as one shared with a close friend of the same gender. The relationship remains an emotional and spiritual one between people who love, care for, and respect each other.

Why can’t I tell the difference between platonic and romantic love?


Platonic love is friendship without romance or sex, whereas romantic love leans heavily toward physical intimacy (sexual or otherwise)

. Though romantic love can begin as a platonic friendship, it can also start with sexual attraction and intimacy and, over time, develop into something deeper.

How do you make platonic love romantic?

Can you be friends first and then fall in love?

In a July meta-analysis of seven studies published in Social, Psychological, and Personality Science, researchers examined results from 1,900 college students and older adults and found that

66 percent of people are platonic friends with their significant other prior to falling in love and starting a romantic

Do guys catch feelings in Friends With Benefits?

This is a pretty broad question, but

yes, they can

. Like any romantic relationship, when you continually see someone and spend time with them it is only natural that you will start to have feelings for them.

Can a friendship turn into love?

How do you stop having feelings for someone but still be friends?

  1. Allow Yourself to Grieve. …
  2. Pick Your Distance. …
  3. Understand What Your Brain is Doing. …
  4. Find Non-Romantic Media to Consume. …
  5. Treat Your Feelings Like a Third Person in the Relationship. …
  6. Let Your Feelings Inspire You.

How do you know if you like someone or if you’re just lonely?

Another way to determine your true feelings is to

get some space from the person and spend your time doing other things like hanging out with friends, pursuing your hobbies, or volunteering

. If you don’t find yourself missing the person when you’re busy with these other things, then you may have just been a bit lonely.

What is a non romantic relationship called?


Platonic relationships

are those characterized by friendship and lacking romantic or sexual aspects, in contrast with romantic relationships. They are named after Plato and reference his writings on different types of love.

What’s the difference between platonic love and friendship?

The love between friends is platonic love.

Platonic describes a relationship that is purely spiritual and not physical

. If a guy and a girl hang out all the time but aren’t boyfriend and girlfriend, they’d describe their friendship as platonic.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.