For many people, including many relationship scientists, the
last stage of relationship dissolution is termination of
contact. It seems much easier to hate your ex rather than being
friend with her/him. However, more and more studies revealed
that the phenomenon of post-dating friendships is common. So why
are some former romantic relationships redefined into
friendships? And how is it possible? Foley and Fraser (1998)
suggest that romantic relationships that no longer fulfill the
romantic needs of partners may undergo a transformation to
friendship. To the extent that the resources exchanged continue
to be of value to the former partners, the relationship is
likely to be maintained in the form of a friendship. Hill,
Rubin, and Peplau (1976) found that premarital partners were
more likely to stay friends when the breakup was male initiated
or mutual. Metts, Cupach, and Bejlovec (1989) found that being
friends prior to initiation of a romantic relationship was a
significant predictor of maintaining a friendshi