FWBR engage in sexual activity with one another, as well as such as “friendship activities” going out with a large group of friends (Weaver, et al., 2011). The challenge of this type of relationships lies in the occurrence of sexual activity while being able to separate the interaction from emotion. Research conducted by Afifi and Faulkner (2000) showed that 51% of college students that participated in their study reported having sexual intercourse with a friend that they did not intend to date at the time, with 34% of those students also reporting that it occurred with the same friend on multiple occasions. Though individual attitudes towards sex in a male-female friendship differ largely, there is a general consensus about the expected impact of such relations (Afifi & Faulkner, 2000). There are many benefits to FWBR that college students have identified throughout various studies. In Afifi and (2000) research, 67% of those that reported to have Faulkner’s engaged in some type of sexual activity with a friend believed that this physical contact had increased the quality. Other frequently perceived and discussed advantages to relationship’s these sexually-charged relationships have included the lack of romantic relational commitment, easy access to sex, and trust in their partner (Weaver et al., 2011). Weaver, et al. research offered other aspects of FWBRs that their college-aged participants stated in interviews. The most intriguing outcome showed that the students enjoyed the relationships because it combined the best of traditional relationships sex, intimacy, and companionship with the best of casual – – relationships independence, casualness, and freedom. At the same time, these relationships – allow the participants to avoid the negative aspects of traditional, romantic relationships such as commitment, drama, complications, and more. Though there are many possible advantages of a FWBR, there are also a variety of negative implications that may be faced. Having one participant in the FWBR develop
FWBR engage in sexual activity with one another, as well as “friendship activities” such as going out with a large group of friends (Weaver, et al., 2011). The challenge of this type of relationships lies in the occurrence of sexual activity while being able to separate the interaction from emotion. Research conducted by Afifi and Faulkner (2000) showed that 51% of college students that participated in their study reported having sexual intercourse with a friend that they did not intend to date at the time, with 34% of those students also reporting that it occurred with the same friend on multiple occasions. Though individual attitudes towards sex in a male-female friendship differ largely, there is a general consensus about the expected impact of such relations (Afifi & Faulkner, 2000). There are many benefits to FWBR that college students have identified throughout various studies. In Afifi and Faulkner’s (2000) research, 67% of those that reported to have engaged in some type of sexual activity with a friend believed that this physical contact had increased the relationship’s quality. Other frequently perceived and discussed advantages to these sexually-charged relationships have included the lack of romantic relational commitment, easy access to sex, and trust in their partner (Weaver et al., 2011). Weaver, et al. research offered other aspects of FWBRs that their college-aged participants stated in interviews. The most intriguing outcome showed that the students enjoyed the relationships because it combined the best of traditional relationships – sex, intimacy, and companionship – with the best of casual relationships – independence, casualness, and freedom. At the same time, these relationships allow the participants to avoid the negative aspects of traditional, romantic relationships such as commitment, drama, complications, and more. Though there are many possible advantages of a FWBR, there are also a variety of negative implications that may be faced. Having one participant in the FWBR develop
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