I can understand this concept as I get older. I really don't want a serious relationship or a new husband anytime soon. I don't want to be celibate either. With all the diseases out there having sex with a friend or someone you know sounds safe.

I can see both sides of the debate, especially having gone through a 29 marriage. In a perfect world I would love to find my soul mate, marry, and live happily ever after, however thats what I thought 30 yrs. ago and today Im, Divorced & Torn Apart. I wish I could believe in the dream; however its difficult when statistics show:
1. Approx. 53% of marriages end in divorce.
2. Approx. 65% of second marriages end in divorce.
3. Approx. 35% that are still married are unhappy in the marriage.

* So calculate the odds and let me know what our chances are of staying married & being content.
The next question is, if you do get married and have children; will everyone live in harmony, especially if you have children between 12-18 (Teenagers)?

Im not advocating Friends With Benefits, or Priesthood, but what is the answer? I can tell you at times it gets real lonely out here and I really miss long walks great talks and yes Benefits. Maybe I will luck out and experience the dream of that special person coming into my life.

I guess I'm just old fashioned but I am not the least bit interested in FWB. Commitment and love (and marriage) come before intimacy for me.
I hope to have a wonderful marriage to a wonderful man someday but it will be on my terms. I have to be true to myself and my beliefs. Plus with HIV and all sorts of STD's, I'm not willing to take the risk.

where is the romance in it? everything you do or say just leads to sex i would imagine. once its about sex, its just sex. i want more then that. its hard to imagine those that are complaining about dating while they are still seperated. i know i want to bring a healthy me into any relationship. maybe those that settle for FWB will help us wanting more to take those men off the playing field

I guess my big question is can one just have casual sex and wanting nothing more. I guess for me I just gotten out of a "committed myself body and soul" so I'm still bruised from that to even think about FWB.

I was married 23 years. I have a very strong sensual side. And very high morals. As I was going through this speration process-I was at a point that I felt ugly, useless, a failure. But, I had a freind. He was a very good friend. He made me feel good about myself again. As we talked, we talked about how hard it would be for me, to ever give myself to a man. I really did believe that I belonged to my husband. And honestly, had very few partners (I'm pretty conservative) His point--while some may just think it was a "line" was that it would be tough. And that it was important for the first time to be with someone who understood that. We became FWB. The rules were clear upfront---we were friends, and he was helping me rediscover a part of me. It was a wonderful experience. And it didn't become just about sex. It is now just about the friendship. He talks to me about his current relationships--and I can talk to him about current frustrations, and we are there for each other--as friends! So, under the right circumtances, with the right person, FWB is a good thing.