Men and women can be friends, but there are caveats. While some argue that sexual tension prevents true cross-sex friendship, others note that attraction depends on individual circumstances like sexual orientation or involvement in other relationships. Additionally, as social norms change and men and women have more equal opportunities and interests, cross-sex friendships have become more politically charged. Ultimately, whether men and women can be friends depends on the individual situation and is a complicated issue with reasonable arguments on both sides.