Friends with Benefits

Friends-with-benefits relationships (FWBRs) occur when two unmarried individuals, who do not identify their relationship as romantic or dating, engage in sexual interaction (ranging from kissing to sexual intercourse) on repeated occasions. Friends with benefits (FWBs) represent a relational hybrid, an attempt to combine the best of friendships (intimate self-disclosure and social support) and romantic relationships (sexual interaction). Although simple and easily understood, the FWB label belies considerable ambiguity and complexity. FWBRs encompass a variety of relational motivations, histories, and contexts. Recent research has identified at least seven types of FWBRs that differ in the nature of the friendship and partners’ romantic histories and motivations. FWBRs are likely popular with emerging adults (roughly, the 20–35 age range), because it corresponds with their desires for identity development and personal (and relational) experimentation.