OK, so this is an ongoing issue between individuals. It is not restricted to individuals of opposite genders, or similar sexual preferences. It is about intention. There are three major contributing factors for human interaction. These are intention, communication filters, and societal factors.

Every individual has an energy or feel about them. What that energy says is what determines the nature of the relationship.This is the intention of the relationship. An individual's personal space boundaries help to demonstrate the intent of the relationship. This is why some individuals feel that to be "friends" first is more important than the first instant fire of attraction. In fact, many individuals who feel the "heat" between each other, consciously choose to allow friendship to grow BEFORE they "consummate" the other more sexual phase of their relationship. Watch people in a coffee shop or other public place and you can see the "signals" that they are giving off.

The second thing that contributes to the issue is the communication "filters" that one sees through. If one individual sees every action through the filter of sexual gratification and sensuality then that is what they see in every individual. No person can truly know what another individual is thinking. We use cues, such as, posture, eye contact, and facial expressions to determine what another is thinking. These signals, are then filtered through the way we hear what another individual is saying. There is an old Chinese saying, "I HEAR you", while the speaker is pointing to their heart. It isn't that the speaker has confused their ears with their heart, it is that they UNDERSTAND, what the other person is really saying.

This can be very dangerous ground. In our 21st century world, the third contributing factor. Male/Female relations in our Western Society have been fraught with disastrous misinterpretations, sexual predation, degradation of women, and great joy, ( see my post Male Female Relations in the US ).

Now we are ready to answer the question, Can a Man and a Woman have a platonic relationship? The answer is, depends on the female and male in question. If both individuals have a mutual respect for the personhood of the other than it is possible. However, if one individual feels that they are "owed" sex, or that this is their ultimate goal regardless of what their words seem to say, then no.

All of this leads to a question of Honor. This concept has been sorely misused and misunderstood. The definition of Honor, according to Dictionary.com is in part, integrity in one's beliefs and actions. Therefore, Honor, and respect are the hallmarks of any true relationship. Each person should be respectful of the boundries of the other individual.

Notice that the definition also includes the word integrity which is defined in part as adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character.What is the moral and ethical principles of the individual? If they are respectors of another individual then again, no problem, they can be platonic.

Sex, in and of itself is not a relationship, it is procreation, just look at the American addiction to pornography, (a topic for another discussion), however one defines it.

Therefore, If a person does not act with honor and integrity then I for one, would not be in relationship with them If they do, then, the relationship will be MUTUAL, and whatever the two parties agree will be the framework of that relationship.

Bright Blessing,

Alfred Willowhawk