One of the most natural situations within interpersonal relationships, reflected countless times in movies, series or books, has to do with feeling sexual attraction towards a friend. However, the fear that this bond will be broken or “spoiled” as a future consequence prevents many from taking the step. However, once again, science is responsible for resolving these types of doubts and affirms that having sex with friends strengthens the ties between friends. This is confirmed by a study carried out by Dr. Heidi Reeder, from Boise State University, in the United States.
In the investigation, a survey was carried out on a sample of 300 people, the results of which resolved several issues. The most relevant of them is that 75% of the participants recognized that having had sexual relations with a friend had strengthened the bond between friends. One of the main fears has to do with assuming that, in these cases, one of the two will end up developing romantic feelings towards the other. However, this does not have to happen. A reality that, once again, is reflected in this study, which highlights that you can have sex with a friend without confusing your feelings.
Friends with benefits, friends with benefits or as they are more recently known, ‘fucking friends’. Be that as it may, these are people who maintain a friendship in which sexual relations are also present, only without a romantic or exclusive commitment. This is how the psychologist Iñigo Cansado de Noriega defines this type of dynamics, which have certain points in common. As they are the genuine connection between both parties and the freedom and flexibility they provide, unlike traditional relationships.
However, when dealing with a friends with benefits relationship, a series of aspects must be taken into account if we want to preserve that friendship properly. And thus avoid getting poisoned or ending on bad terms.