A study in 2009 regarding the question, ‘Can two people have sex and still remain “just friends?”‘ revealed that 60 percent of college students in the United States have been in “friends with benefits” relationship, but this particular arrangement could be complicated by the possibility for romantic feelings.

The study was done by researchers from Wayne State University and Michigan State University and was published in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior. The researchers asked 125 undergraduates
“why they would or wouldn’t have sex with a friend, and what the advantages or disadvantages would be.”

The results of the study also revealed that 2/3 of the participants have been in “friends with benefits” relationship while 36% were currently in a “friends with benefits” relationship at the time when the study was being conducted. On one hand, the participants list that the main advantage of this particular relationship was having no commitments and the next is being able to have sex. On the other hand, the participants also reported that the main disadvantage of being “friends with benefits” with someone is that of the possibility that feelings would turn romantic. “Harming the friendship” and “cause negative emotions” are some of the other reasons that the participants listed as disadvantages.

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