We're just good friends

by Kathy Werking

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