From my perspective, and this is my stance in this debate: being friends with women as a man just isn’t worth it. The cons far outweigh any potential pros, and here’s why:

Most of the time, female friends come to you with their emotional problems. And it’s not just venting, they expect you to listen, understand, and often fix things for them emotionally. You end up playing the role of a therapist, not a true equal in the friendship.

On top of that, a lot of these friendships revolve around them getting attention when it suits them. They’ll hit you up when they’re bored, down, or want a self-esteem boost, but it’s rarely mutual. When a guy needs the same support or validation, it’s usually not there.

There’s this imbalance where men give more emotionally, time, mental energy, support but receive very little in return. And the reality is, that kind of emotional labor takes a toll over time.

In conclusion, for most men, being friends with women brings more negatives than positives. The dynamic is often lopsided, emotionally draining, and based on convenience or validation rather than real friendship. That’s my position in this debate and I stand by it.