Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

- ■ t ■ t Spelman Spotlight By Lisa P. Turner Page 7 As I walked to my dorm after our Sophomore Class Brother- Sister Tea, I began to think about the reasons why the tea was a success and the importance of the new relationships that form ed that night. Basically, it can be said that each person present at the tea wanted to. gain a new friend of the opposite sex. When I use the term ‘platonic’ in this article, I am referring to the Greek philosopher’s idea that a relationship can be formed with a member of the opposite sex that is purely spiritual and is free from sensual desire. The ques tion must be asked, however, is one that seeks to learn the advantages of such a relationship. The basis of a friendship is much the same as the one for a romantic relationship. To become one’s friend one must exhibit to the other that he is honest, open, and most impor tantly can communicate his feelings and needs to the other, n becoming friends with a member of the opposite sex, a new perspective can be gained from him/her concerning their feelings about love, sex, in securities, and other emotions. A platonic relationship can be used as a means of evaluating one’s self. If you become friends, then you learn to voice opinions tactfully and to listen to another’s sometimes differing views. The ability to become intimate without sex is often a huge task since it involves shar ing one's innermost feelings which include doubts, fears, and hangups. All too often we are afraid to bare ourselves in this manner and would prefer to shed our clothes and let someone look at our bodies than let someone have a glance at our souls. Acceptance from a platonic friend is based solely on personal worth and not upon any sexual gains that may be obtained. We all know that acceptance from the opposite sex is extremely important for our self- esteem. This friend can also be used as a sounding board for your con cerns about the opposite sex. An impartial friend, one without vested interests, can offer objec tive and constructive ideas. A platonic friend can, on the other hand, introduce you to his friends and although he/she might not be able to choose a mate for you, your friend will be more likely to introduce you to someone with similar interests and values. A platonicfriend may seem out of touch with today’s sexual society that seems to advocate sex first and relationship second. Recent sur veys show that 40 percent of 17 year old girls are no longer virgins. With this new sexual activity must also come new responsibilities and maturity. This maturity should not be gained by extensive sexual ex perimentation or the Hit- and- Miss method. A viable alter native is a platonic friend to help develop communication skills and understanding of the op posite sex. Why not try one out for yourself? After all, if it does not work out, at least you will have met a new person.