Can a relationship excist mainly on communication, trust, honesty, commitment, support? And can it survive without sex and intimacy?
2006-11-17 04:40:16 · 16 answers · asked by mrhappy1171 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
Absolutely yes. Ask any parapaligic!!! they have relationships without sex. Christopher Reeves did.
Honestly, sex is less important than trust, understanding, support, honesty and committment.
2006-11-17 04:43:40 · answer #1 · answered by nottashygirl 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Don't want to sound pedantic, but there are many kinds of relationships, and not all require any physical contact. Communication, trust, honesty, commitment, and support are key elements of intimacy. Two people can, thus, be intimate without there being a physical element. To use a fictional example, Holmes and Watson always spoke of each other as "my most intimate friend", there was never any question of a physical relationship. If you are specifically referring to a romantic relationship, then a physical aspect should be there, if not necessarily a sexual one. Hugs, cuddling, a long sensual massage, all help bring you closer together. One of the closest friends I've ever had was a lady I never had sex with, but we were always there for each other, a supportive hug, a shoulder to cry on, a sympathetic ear, advice, even a slap up side the head, the trust and communication was what made it work.
2006-11-17 17:59:59 · answer #2 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well put it like this communication, trust, honesty , commitment and support are an essential to any relationship that is trying to work but so is intimacy. Although, many people try to deny that they had any physical attraction to their partner they only do it to no be considered shallow. Being intimate with the person you care for can be one of the most beautiful experiences you will ever have. Just picture this at the point of climax you are more vulnurable to your partner that you have ever been. Then and there you can see it in their eyes that trust, honesty, and commitment that you talk about. Ofcourse that is only my opinion and i would be considered by my friends a romantic so this may not apply to you.
2006-11-17 04:50:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, it can. It just wouldn't be a sexual relationship. And it's not going to meet the needs you have for romance and sexual intimacy.
I think some married couples are like that after they've been together for years - more like brother and sister, or very close friends. With little or no sex involved.
And I've known a few gay couples who chose to stay together despite their no longer having sexual feelings for each other.
It's not a perfect situation, though, because most people have physical needs, so that's got to be met some way. By seeing someone outside of the relationship, or else solitary masturbation.
Personally, I'd guess that Bill and Hillary Clinton are like that - partners in every regard, except that there's little or no physical intimacy. Some people trash her for putting up with his affairs, but I think she probably made her peace with it at some point and who's to judge her?
2006-11-17 05:05:12 · answer #4 · answered by Angry Gay Man 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
without sex yes, for as long as both people are okay with this. But you need intimacy- emotional intimacy, which is the same thing as trust, in my mind. Otherwise, it's not much of a relationship.
2006-11-17 04:50:02 · answer #5 · answered by GEEGEE 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without sex..yes of course. Without intimacy ie..kissing, hugs, cuddling, holding hands...nope. Been there and it fell apart. No sex for 11 months..fine, no intimacy for 11 months...might as well call it quits. Intimacy is the nurturing part of a relationship. Just like a baby, it needs someone to feed it and talk to it , play with it for it to grow healthy, otherwise ...it dies.
2006-11-17 04:47:06 · answer #6 · answered by candyred1999 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
Of course you need to make sure that while intimacy and sex do go hand in hand, they are also able to be separated, things like cuddled up in bed together are very intimate but not necessarily sexual. The intimacy is needed, it maintains bonds even when sex is not occurring.
2006-11-17 04:47:55 · answer #7 · answered by IndyT- For Da Ben Dan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A relationship can survive without Sex / Sexual acts it self But without some kind of Intimacy (hugs ,kiss'es ,cuddles, love,etc... ) between the two partners there is NO relationship !
2006-11-17 04:47:50 · answer #8 · answered by nygayart 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is called a friendship. I don't think I could ever be in a relationship with intimacy. It is not the only aspect of a relationship, but a lot depends on it. Without it it is merely a loving friendship.
2006-11-17 04:44:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think the relationship you are referring to is called "friendship", If I had all of that with my husband but no intimacy I would no longer think of him as husband, I would think of him as friend, then I would long for a relationship with intimacy.
2006-11-17 04:51:31 · answer #10 · answered by Sara 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋