Platonic love: what does it mean for both sexes?
Platonic love — everyone knows what it means, and there are even people who have lived or are living in such relationships. Without physical intimacy, there is only a spiritual union of heart, soul and spirit. They take such a responsible step consciously and after everything has been thought through.
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The difference between platonic love and several of its varieties
The main difference between platonic love is the lack of physical intimacy between people. Spiritual love is one of the manifestations of strong emotions. Experienced psychologists identify several types
Parental love. A variant of unconditional platonic love, in which parents surround their children with warmth and care. At the same time, the mother”s love is chosen separately — she loves the child as he is, without relying on the child”s actions or behavior. A father”s love is different—it must earn legitimate expectations. Under certain circumstances it may be completely lost. Every parent has both components — some more, some less.
The love of children for their mothers. At different historical stages of research into this type of love, scientists proposed such options for its etiology.
- Intrauterine community of mother and child;
- “imprinting” of the mother’s image by the child from infancy.
- A reaction to unconditional maternal love and care.
Love for God. To overcome loneliness and feel unity with God, to feel a sense of personal fulfillment. In the same way, true believers are undemanding, unpretentious, faithfully (but not blindly) following principles and commandments, and believing that their life is worth as much as God allows them to value it.
Love between women. True strong friendship is an example of platonic love between two women. When all the feelings they show are sincere and fully express what they feel for each other (affection, shared emotions, etc.).
Love between men. This is another version of strong friendship, but based on other canons. So, true friendship is based on:
Read also: First love is never forgotten. This means that the lessons from it are not forgotten
There is one thing in our life, the flow of which we judge as love. It can be different: parental, romantic, passionate, unhappy and, of course.
- Common interests and opinions on many issues.
- Duration of friendship — often begins in childhood.
- Mutual respect;
- Ease of communication without offense or prejudice (which often happens with women).
Love between a man and a woman. This option is very common. It involves the merging of the spiritual elements of two people, without any hint of sexual relations.
Reasons for the emergence of platonic love between lovers
Years. For spouses who have lived together for many years, classical love turns into platonic love. Age-related changes in the male and female body exclude gender. Single older people without relatives also prefer to date and live with other single people who are also lonely. Over time, love often arises between them — a platonic feeling.
Distance. When lovers are forced to leave for an indefinite period of time (for example, long business trips, personal family problems of one of the couple, an internship in another country), their love is forced to become platonic. This can be very helpful in understanding the value of a relationship between lovers.
Real and strong relationships can also arise, starting with platonic love, when the Internet is justified. People communicate online, perceive each other more closely and gradually fall in love with a person’s inner world. If people meet in a relationship and decide to continue it, then usually such an alliance is very strong in the future.
Unrequited love for a man or men. When in love, and when the other person or himself may not know whether he loves or not. This option for educating feelings is typical for very reserved, romantic and young people who are embarrassed by the mere thought that they can recognize the object of their love in their feelings.
Most often, such love is characteristic of youth and does not last long. As they age, their views on life and relationships become more serious and cautious, which requires serious correspondence.
Religion. There are some religions that strictly limit the expression of physical love to legal marriage. However, if feelings arise, only one thing remains — close to the soul.
Presence of physiological abnormalities. This diagnosis does not scare everyone — female enrichment or male physiological impotence. Many people find love in a spiritual union with their partners, forget about their illnesses and live long and happy lives.
How long can platonic love last and how does it end?
Platonic love can last for different periods of time in different couples and under different circumstances. This means that for some it lasts a lifetime, while for others it moves to another level of relationship. To prolong it, you need to work on your relationship, constantly nourish it and understand the nature of love.
