Sociologists have documented that men and women can indeed just be friends and that there are actually benefits that come with cross-sex friendships — like learning from the other side how to best attract a mate — that you cant get from same-sex friendships.

Is it possible for a male and female to have a platonic relationship?

Platonic relationships—i.e. close, non-sexual friendships—between men and women can be real and viable and pretty great. Its a relief, not a stressor, to know someone of the opposite sex in a context that isnt mediated by sexual attraction, according to a number of people I spoke to.