Storge

Storgē (from the Greek στοργή) is the word for family love, such as the love of a parent toward a child. In social psychology, storgē is the form of love between friends.

For the most part, Storgē can be used as a term to describe the love between exceptional friends, and the desire to care compassionately for them.

In other interpretations, it can be the term used to describe a sexual relationship between two people, that grew out of a friendship. Storgic lovers are friends first. The friendship can endure beyond the breakup of the sexual relationship. Storgic lovers choose their mates based on homogamy, and sometimes cannot pinpoint the moment that friendship turned to love. Storgic lovers want their significant others to also be their best friends.

Storgic lovers place much importance on commitment, and find their motivation to avoid committing infidelity is to preserve the trust between the partners. Children and marriage are seen as legitimate forms of their bond. Sex is of lesser importance than in some of the other love styles.

Some advantages of storgic love can be the level of friendship, understanding, and intimacy in the partners, while disadvantages can include potential boredom and lack of passion in some couples.