We're Just Good Friends: Women And Men In Nonromantic Relationships

Building on studies in sociology, psychology, and communication as well as her own extensive research, author Kathy Werking presents an organizational framework for studying friendships between the sexes and offers a thorough examination of the character and dynamics of these relationships. She looks at both societal effects and influences as well as the interpersonal dynamics between the participants to explore the development, maintenance, and decline of these friendships; the differences in gender behaviors and roles; topics typically brought up in day-to-day conversations; as well as the challenges and rewards of these relationships. Bringing the research to life, each chapter opens with segments of conversations between cross-sex friends. Chapters delineate the issues involved in cross-sex friendships, covering such topics as what happens when sexual and romantic feelings arise, handling jealous romantic partners, other people's scrutiny of the friendship, and societal barriers to such relationships. Concluding with a critical look at the literature and proposing new directions for future study, this interdisciplinary work provides both a solid reference and a springboard for future research. It serves as a valuable resource for readers interested in gender studies, communications, relationships, social networks, social psychology, sociology, and cultural studies, as well as for family and couple therapists.

The first resource to fully devote itself to the study of cross-sex friendships, this book offers important insight into such issues as gender-role expectancies, relationship norms and goals, and cultural assumptions about friendship and sexuality. Author Kathy Werking builds on studies in sociology, psychology, and communication to explore the challenges and rewards of friendships between men and women, their unique character, the cultural beliefs about them, and the influences of various social networks on them.