2. Third Wave Feminism

MY CLOSE FRIEND
Plan:

1.Friends with benefits relationships

2.Third Wave Feminism

3.Challenges with Friends with Benefits Relationships
4. 8 Ways to Maintain Friendships When in a Relationship

Friends with benefits relationships

Friends with benefits relationships (FWB or FWBR) is a term commonly used to reference a relationship that is sexual without being romantic. Typically, these relationships can be between people that consider themselves platonic friends without pressure. These non-committal relationships can be short term, or evolve into serious romantic relationships. In an era of one night stands, Netflix and chill, and booty calls, casual sexual relationships continue to become more prominent.^[1] Studies show an increasing number of college students, both male and female, report having a friends with benefits relationship at some point.^[2] FWB relationships are enjoyed by both women and men, this is in contrast to hookups which are more prevalent among men.^[2]

Background[edit]

The origin of the term "friends with benefits" is difficult to trace, although it is regularly used and practiced in today's society. The earliest known use of the term is documented in Alanis Morrissette's song Head Over Feet when she says, "you're my best friend, best friend with benefits".^[3] There is also the 2011 film, Friends with Benefits, starring Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis. Since then, the concept has become a phenomenon that is frequently referenced in pop culture and adopted by society. Research shows five different motivators for starting friends with benefits relationships: just sex (purely sexual motivation), emotional connection (the desire for increased closeness and/or intimacy), relationship simplicity (wanting an easy, natural, and stress-free relationship), relationship avoidance (purposeful avoidance of the exclusive and/ or romantic elements of a relationship), and wanted an FWBR (couples who “...became single and took advantage of the opportunity” (Stein, Mongeau, Posteher, & Veluscek, pp. 318–319).^[1] The parties involved in FWB relationships enter it with the understanding that the relationship will end at some point in time. This differs from romantic relationships in that the unsaid goal of a romantic relationship is for the parties involved to stay in the relationship long term.^[4] Men tend to view FWB relationships as casual, while women tend to view them as friendships.^[5] Men are also more likely to have sexual relations with someone that they are not in a romantic relationship with.^[6] As FWB relationships continue to be a topic of interest, research on the subject is starting to lose its negative connotation. FWB relationships continue to grow in popularity amongst young people and older people without young children.^[7]