Is it possible for a married man to be friends with a single female, why or why not?

Question

No gray answers. Yes or no. On the other hand is it possible for a married female to be friends with a single male, why or why not? Is there a double standard?

Answer 1

Yes, I admit there is a clear double standard, as the single guy is "perceived" as more likely to be eager to have sex with her, while the single woman is less likely to want to have sex with the married man.

However, I believe both can work, but clear boundaries must be set and followed strictly---no room for gray zones. I know even if I was slightly flexible with my boundaries, some of my married guy friends could have fallen back on me in times of vulnerability because we're close, I make them feel good and they're extremely comfortable with me. There have been times when they called me after a big fight and were ready to get it over with, but my job is to calm them down, listen, give them the woman's perspective of things, encourage them to communicate etc. I'm not sure if every female or male wold exercise that kind of discipline, having the married person's real interest at heart. I had guy friends when I was married who exercised the same responsible principles. They did the same of always encouraging me to communicate and making the situation better---that's what real friends do.

Also, I am friends (not close but comfortable) with their spouse and they were friends with mine. It's important not to leave your spouse out of the "friendship." It can't be a "behind closed door" kinda deal.

In conclusion, yes, it can work with the right people and clear boundaries.

Answer 2

No. The friends that were made will still be friends but most likely not new people are coming. If they come, most likely are potential partners, thats' the way it is, except for the ones that are doing it in a relationship, and try to convince each other that's not the way it is. A happy couple usually bonds each other that they don't allow strangers to get to their life or between their life, they have a tendency to be happy with their company and don't need anyone else mess with their time, they take good care of each other, and good care of their schedule and time they spend with each other, usually there is no room for outsideers, that are always there, who are singles looking or don't mind messing up with other peoples life, it's all up to the couple. There are no gray areas, this is a no as an answer, that's the way it works. One thing is to consider, is that if one of the two needs friends, most likely is looking to walk out or look for something better, where if they are dating, there is nothing wrong with keep looking because there is no point on staying with someone who doesn't make you happy. The important thing to do, is to be honest with the other person and tell the other person where you are in the relationship and what your feelings are.

Answer 3

Of course for both. In this there is no gender difference. The key is trust and communication. If you communicate well with your spouse tell them everything then there is no room for doubt or suspicion. If your marriage is built on trust and you do nothing to betray that trust, then friendship with individuals of the opposite sex should be no problem. We all work with individuals of the opposite sex. Are we supposed to just look the other way when they are around. In some professions that would be very difficult.
Remember there is a fine line between friendship and lover. Granted some of us have started our relationships as "just friends" which over time turned into something more. So we have to be wary if we truly love our spouse not to allow that to happen. But there is no reason in the world not to have friends, afterall we all need someone we can talk with, confide with and just be there when things go wrong. Yes our best friend is/should be our spouse, but there are times when a second opinion can be a valued resource.

Answer 4

of course, but not to the exclusion of leaving the spouse out. If the friend of the opposite sex becomes too important then it is time to begin checking out why. I do think that most guys think that it is impossible for a female to be just friends with a guy though. So like other things in this male-female world there is a double standard going on.

Answer 5

Totally possible. One of my very dearest friends is a guy, and we remained close friends even when I was married. I got divorced, and now he is married, and we are still very good friends. It's not easy, because people talk, but our significant others are understanding, they know that our relationship is more brother/sister than anything.

Answer 6

It is possible for a married man to just be friends with a single female......but if the married man's marriage is shaky, emotions could start to cook.

I can't answer for the female side of this equation.

Answer 7

I don't think that it's possible for either any man to be "just friends" with any woman. Why? Because SOMEONE wants to have sex with the other person. Eventually it either leads to the deed happening...or the friendship dies because the person becomes too jealous of other relationships to be friends.

I think that couples who are friends with other couples is simply the two women being friends and the men being friends and the members of the opposite sex are simply acquaintances. (i.e. if I call our couple friends and the husband answers I'll say hi and how are you. But after that I ask to speak to his wife.)

And I think that people who say yes it's possible are only trying to justify their own actions...and either are trying to hide their attraction to the other person Or simply don't see that the other person has an attraction to you.

Answer 8

Both scenarios are possible. Say a man or woman had a close friend before they met their partner or got married. Should they give them up just because they meet their romantic partner.
Friends and lovers are two totally different things. People who say no can't imagine it happening because they have no self-control over their physical impulses.

Answer 9

Any person can be friends with someone of another gender. Married or single.
Wnen one person who is married is committed to their spouse, there should be no worry about cheating or straying. Espically if there it is an open honest friendship.
It's only if one doesn't trust their spouse, or there is sneaking around, that leads to suspicion.

Answer 10

Mature people with self respect can honor the relationship they are in as well as be friends with the opposite sex. However, there are very few mature people with self respect around.