Is physical intimacy really that important in a relationship?

Question

I've always felt that trust, communication, emotional aspects etc are more important in a relationship but guys seems to place a greater emphasis on physical intimacy. Why is this so?

Answer 1

Relationships based on physical intimacy first are at a very high risk of failing.....

The most important things to consider are:

honesty
loyalty
goals
respect
maturity

Answer 2

The things you mentioned are definitely important and are probably more important than physical intimacy in a solid relationship. But physical intimacy is important too, you can't possibly have a good relationship without physical intimacy. Guys emphasize it more because it's the fun part of the relationship.

Answer 3

Trust and communication are fine but you have those between friends too.
Physical intimacy, aka SEX, is important because:
- it is a really deep feeling, causing great pleasure and emotions and emotions of intimacy
- you would normally share it with one person, which makes it all the more special
- you give in to your feelings, rather than choosing and picking polite words to communicate. To do that with somebody creates a bond.

On the other hand, it also means something if someone wants to be meaningful, communicative friends, but does not want to have sex. What that person is saying is that he/she does not want that level of intimacy with you. So that's saying something about your relationship, too.

Guys aren't really that shallow, and sex really does make a lot of difference.

Answer 4

depends what you want in a relationship but no matter what type, you guys have to be comfortable around each other. Be able to hold hands, cuddle, enjoy each others company. Relationships without physical intimacy would be a really boring courtship. But yes communication, blah blah blah, and so on is probably a more important aspect of the relationship. You need a mixture and balance of both to have a healthy relationship.

Answer 5

Well this is a common mistake women make, I dont want to encourage anyone outside of marriage to have sex lol, but we live in the real world, I will give you a hypothetical answer, all the stuff you listed are very important in a marriage, trust communication, emotion, BUT, physical intimacy is ALSO important, its not close to everthing, its not even the most important thing but its just as important as the other things, it makes the relationship whole, keep him happy in that department even though you might not always want too, and if hes a good guy he will keep you happy in your departments even though he wont always want to, its not equal, but balanced.
me personally aside from sexual stuff I like to hold hands, cuddle etc, all that is also physical intimacy

Answer 6

I am a woman and to me physical intimacy is VERY important!! At least once a day important!!

Communication is a big deal as well!!

It is so funny.....many guys say they want to have a physical woman but no one can seem to follow through when they get one! Go figure.....

Answer 7

It is a known fact that men open up to their mates by sexual intimacy. A man’s mind basically is programmed to say. “ I love you this much…. “ Unfortunately there are players who have no conscience. BUT when you spurn a lover or mate away from physical touch it sometimes says. “I don’t like you right now.” Or “I don’t like you enough to……”

The two examples you gave above ALSO dictate TRUST and COMMUNICATION via physical touch. See how it works? I trust you to be my lover… Don’t you feel our souls connect when we make love…. That is EXACTLY what happens when you have certain encounters.

Ever since the dawn of time men had to be PHYSICAL in order to show how much they cared for their mate. Bringing home the food after the hunt. Protecting the tribe and family from danger. As civilization progressed the less physical encounters man faces. Fighting for his mate is now virtually unheard of. Protecting your love from everyday danger is even more unheard of. Some men even confuse this physical Neanderthal instinct with force that is geared towards their mate. They have to show you how though they can be when the emotions are crossed or reversed in the wrong direction.

Look at primates. They pick bugs off their loved ones to show them how much they love them ... PHYSICAL CONTACT.

Don't 99% of the women always go after the "Bad Boy?" Don't women prefer muscular men for the most part?

Answer 8

I ASK THIS ALL THE TIME.WHY IS EX SO IMPORTANT??? THE MENTAL INTIMACY IS SO MUCH DEEPER,AND INJOYABLE.PEOPLE HAVE TO HAVE SEX OR THEY DONT FEEL LIKE THEY GET ANYTHING OUT OF IT.THE REALLY COOL PART OF MENTAL INTIMACY IS WHENYOU BOTH CAN JUST LAY THERE AND REACH AN ORGAISM WITHOUT HAVING SEX AT ALL.NOW THATS WHEN YOU KNOW YOU ARE A GOOD COUPLE.AD TRUST ME IT IS VERY POSSIBLE TO HAPPEN,I CAN DO IT ALL THE TIME,ALL I HAVE TO DO IS LAY THERE WITH MY MAN AND THINK OF HOW HE PLEASES ME AND AWAY WE GO.SO IF YU CAN FIND SOMEONE WHO WANTS MORE MENTAL INTIMACY YO WILL HAVE A MUCH BETTER RELATIONSHIP.IT WILL BE ON A WHOLE DIFERENT LEVEL.PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE SEX IN OREDER TO HAVE A RELATIONSHSIP AND YO DO NOT.

Answer 9

Some guys are rather superficial and prefer pleasure to anything else. Like you, I think platonic relationships actually last longer and in more gratifying then a physical one.

Answer 10

All that you said is true but men need physical intamacy.I guess it makes them feel that you really love them is what I heard but personally i think they just need to be pleasured ever now and again.