I'm not sure exactly what I'm trying to promote here, probably just the discussion of why this occurs and how it might be able to be modified or prevented.

Long story short, I've noticed there's a double standard in choosing not to be in a relationship with someone. I've experienced this in my life, and it was a completely dreadful experience. Essentially, I was friends with someone and wanted to be more than that with her. She declined, and I - having been invested in the idea of romance - wanted to distance myself from her after she declined wanting to go further.

In a fit of anger, she accused me of only being friends with her because I wanted to sleep with her, and was aghast that someone might want to distance themselves completely when realizing a relationship wouldn't be an option. I was hit with so many guilt-ridden accusations about misogyny and male lust that she essentially forced me to continue staying in contact with her, for breaking things off entirely would result in even more of a tirade.

I realize now I should have just not cared about what she thought, but it's a painful double standard to realize. None of my male friends have ever done something like this in reverse, and I feel like it's a major social faux pas to pressure somebody to be friends with you after you've said no to them.

Anyways, not sure where I was going with this, but I'm just sad to see so much guilt and shame in my life for something that in hindsight I feel was quite benign